A total of 67 educators in Seoul were dismissed last year for their suspected involvement in various corrupt activities, such as receiving kickbacks for giving promotions, the city's top education authority said Sunday.
The number includes 15 school principals, one vice principal, four supervisors and two teachers, who were removed from duty on charges of dishonest behavior in personnel reshuffles, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
A former superintendent of the education office was embroiled in scandal last year after revelations that he received millions of won in exchange for promoting senior education officials. He was sentenced to four years in jail.
Another 20 teachers were dismissed for their involvement in a large bribery scandal that put 157 senior school officials in the capital area under investigation for arranging school trips with designated bus operators and accommodation facilities.
Other teachers were fired for corrupt behavior involving construction projects at schools, excessive corporal punishment and even sex with a middle school student.
Most of those dismissed have filed complaints to the education ministry but only two or three have had their penalties reduced, the education office said.
"Two of the dismissed teachers whose requests were rejected have already filed suit (against us) and the others also appear likely to go to court," said an official at the education office. "We are preparing to face them in court."