What the 'Reebak School Scandal' Reveals: Lessons from Korea’s Most Controversial Education Crisis

The Rise and Unmasking of Reebak School

Did you know that what seemed like a minor educational organization turned out to be at the center of Korea’s biggest education scandal in years? Reebak School, named after former presidents Syngman Rhee and Park Chung-hee, was initially seen as a conservative history education group. But in 2025, investigations revealed that it had systematically recruited people to manipulate online comments and infiltrated public after-school programs to spread far-right ideologies. The group’s so-called 'Jasons' (a play on 'freedom finger army') were organized to post and upvote comments supporting conservative candidates, especially during the presidential election, while disparaging opponents. This went far beyond mere online activism—it was a coordinated campaign that shook the foundations of trust in both digital and educational spaces.

How Did Reebak School Penetrate Public Education?

What shocked many was how Reebak School managed to place its certified instructors in the Nulbom after-school program, a government-backed initiative meant to enrich elementary students’ learning. Reports confirmed that at least 43 instructors trained by Reebak School participated in programs at 57 schools nationwide, with 10 in Seoul alone. These instructors were not just teaching science or art—they were allegedly promoting a revisionist view of history, glorifying authoritarian leaders, and even denying historical atrocities like the Japanese military’s use of 'comfort women.' Parents and teachers reported that some students began repeating these distorted narratives and even expressing discriminatory views, raising alarms about the real impact of unchecked ideological infiltration.

Online Opinion Manipulation: From Comments to Classrooms

The scandal didn’t stop at the classroom door. Reebak School’s comment manipulation operation was elaborate: members were recruited with the promise of after-school teaching certificates, then directed to post and upvote comments on major news portals like Naver. Investigations found multiple accounts accessed from the same IP addresses, suggesting coordinated activity. The group’s leader, Son Hyo-sook, was accused of orchestrating these campaigns, and police raided both her home and the organization’s office. Naver, Korea’s largest portal, filed an official complaint, citing violations of the Information and Communications Network Act and obstruction of business. This digital manipulation blurred the line between online opinion and real-world influence, making many Koreans question the integrity of both their media and their schools.

Government and Institutional Response: Too Little, Too Late?

As public outrage grew, the Ministry of Education launched a nationwide investigation into all after-school programs associated with Reebak School, promising to complete it by mid-June. Some schools quickly replaced the implicated instructors, while others struggled to reassure anxious parents. However, the education minister failed to attend urgent parliamentary hearings, fueling suspicions about the government’s commitment to transparency and reform. The National Assembly scheduled a formal hearing for July 10, summoning key figures including Reebak School’s leader and university officials suspected of facilitating the group’s access to schools. Meanwhile, after-school program outsourcing companies pushed back against being scapegoated, insisting that the real issue was the lack of oversight in the certification and recruitment process.

Community and Parental Backlash: Voices from the Ground

Parents were stunned to learn that instructors with extremist backgrounds had been teaching their children. Many expressed anger and betrayal, saying they trusted schools to provide neutral, safe environments. Teachers reported confusion and distress among students, with some children parroting political slogans or showing signs of ideological confusion. On major online communities like TheQoo, Nate Pann, Instiz, DC Inside, and FM Korea, reactions ranged from calls for stricter vetting of instructors to demands for a complete overhaul of after-school program management. Some posts highlighted the dangers of outsourcing educational content without proper checks, while others worried about the long-term impact on children’s critical thinking and social attitudes.

Cultural Context: Why Korea Is Vulnerable to Ideological Infiltration

To truly understand the Reebak School scandal, you need to know about the unique pressures in Korean education. The country’s intense focus on entrance exams and competition has often left little room for critical thinking or civic education. This creates fertile ground for groups with strong ideological agendas to step in, especially when after-school programs are outsourced and oversight is weak. The scandal also reflects broader anxieties about political polarization and the role of digital platforms in shaping public opinion. For international fans and observers, this is a stark reminder that education is not just about academics—it’s a battleground for values, identity, and the future of democracy.

What’s Next? Demands for Reform and Safeguards

The Reebak School case is still unfolding, with police investigations ongoing and a major parliamentary hearing scheduled. There are growing calls for stricter regulation of after-school programs, better vetting of instructors, and more transparency in how educational content is developed and delivered. Many are also urging digital platforms to take a more active role in detecting and preventing coordinated manipulation. Above all, the scandal has sparked a national conversation about the purpose of education and the need to protect young minds from ideological exploitation. As Korea grapples with these challenges, the world is watching to see what lessons will be learned—and whether real change will follow.