"Juvenile Offenders Allowed, School Violence Not? Jo Jinwoong Sparks Controversy Over Double Standards in College Admissions"

Different Standards for Youth Crimes... Growing Debate Over Fairness
Juvenile Offenses Are Erased, While Only School Violence Leads to College Admission Disadvantages

On the morning of the 13th, the day of the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test, examinees are preparing to start the exam at the testing site set up at Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul. 2025.11.13 Photo by Joint Press Corps

As actor Jo Jinwoong’s past as a juvenile offender is being brought back into the spotlight, controversy has reignited over the fairness of college admissions sanctions for youth crimes. Critics point out a “double standard”: while serious crimes such as robbery or assault committed outside of school do not affect college admissions, even the lightest disciplinary action for school violence can block a student’s path to higher education.

According to the Ministry of Education on December 10, the current college admissions system requires records of school violence by perpetrators to be included in student records and reflected in the admissions evaluation. Through its “Comprehensive Measures to Eradicate School Violence” announced in 2023, the Ministry made it mandatory to include records of school violence in both early and regular admissions processes starting with the 2026 academic year.

This policy has already been effectively implemented at universities since last year. Sixty-one universities reviewed 397 applicants with records of school violence and rejected 298 of them, accounting for 75%. Previously, regular admissions did not consider student records, allowing perpetrators of school violence to avoid disadvantages, but the education sector explains that standards were tightened after the so-called “Jeong Soonshin incident.”

Juvenile crimes do not affect college admissions... Even a written apology for school violence is a disadvantage

The core of the controversy lies in the stark difference in how school violence and juvenile crimes are handled. The Juvenile Act stipulates that “protective measures for juveniles shall have no effect on the juvenile’s future status.” This is a fundamental principle for the rehabilitation of underage offenders. In practice, even if a minor commits crimes such as assault or robbery outside of school and receives criminal punishment or protective measures, once the process is completed, it is not recorded as a criminal record nor does it remain in the student record. As a result, there is no disadvantage in college admissions.

In contrast, even the lightest disciplinary action for school violence-such as a written apology-can negatively impact college admissions. The future of a young person can hinge on whether the violent act occurred inside or outside of school, even if the behavior was the same. Some in the education sector argue, “If school violence is to be reflected in regular admissions, then suspended sentences or more severe judicial decisions should also be included in the admissions evaluation.”

Minister of Education Choi Gyojin is attending the full meeting of the National Assembly's Education Committee on the 9th and responding to lawmakers' questions. Photo by Yonhap News

The need to improve related systems was also raised in the National Assembly. Kim Yongtae, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, pointed out during a National Assembly Education Committee inquiry on December 9, “Perpetrators of school violence are disadvantaged in college admissions, but juvenile offenders who commit robbery or even murder face no restrictions. This seems unfair.” Seo Jiyeong, another lawmaker from the same party, also emphasized, “The social impact of a certain actor’s history as a juvenile offender has been enormous. Information about youth who have committed serious crimes should be reflected in the college admissions process, just as it is for school violence.”

In response, Choi Gyojin, Minister of Education, stated, “It would be difficult for the Ministry of Education to take administrative action without any legal basis, so this may be a legislative matter. If the National Assembly discusses and establishes a legal basis, the Ministry of Education will be able to take proactive action as well.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.