Hundreds of foreigners caught over illegal tutoring

By Choi Soo-hyang

SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- Hundreds of foreigners have been caught giving unauthorized private language lessons, the Justice Ministry said Wednesday.

A total of 254 foreigners were apprehended between Aug. 20 and Sept. 18 on suspicion of teaching foreign languages in private or through educational institutions without necessary qualifications, the ministry said.

Some of them satisfied the eligibility rule but had recruited students in illegal ways, such as via the Internet without reporting to the authorities.

The total breaks down to 120 Chinese and 65 Americans by nationality.

When added to the number of foreigners from other English-speaking countries, the number of English tutors was the most with 132.

"Illegal Chinese tutoring cases have soared dramatically with the increased demand in the language," a ministry official said.

The ministry also rounded up 11 South Koreans from two agencies, accusing them of helping the foreigners find students.

The foreigners will be either fined or deported, the ministry said, adding that the Koreans from the two agencies will be sent to the prosecutors' office.

Under South Korean law, any foreigners wishing to give language tutoring must fulfill the necessary conditions and give lessons at authorized institutions.

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