CONTENTS
- 1. The 2026 Academic Year College Admissions and the Structure for Reflecting School Violence Disciplinary Records
- - Comparison: Before the 2025 Academic Year vs. After the 2026 Academic Year
- - Background of the Institutional Change
- 2. How Records Are Actually Reflected in University Admissions
- - Possible Impact by Disciplinary Level
- - Factors Considered in the Comprehensive Evaluation Track
- 3. The Structure of Long-Term Effects Following a Disciplinary Measure
- 4. The Reflection of School Violence Spreading Even to High School Admissions
- 5. Strategy for Responding to a Wrongful School Violence Disciplinary Measure
- - Procedural Illegality Issues
- - Administrative Appeal, Administrative Litigation, and Assistance
1. The 2026 Academic Year College Admissions and the Structure for Reflecting School Violence Disciplinary Records
Through the 2025 academic year, the way each university reflected school violence disciplinary records in admissions differed by institution.
Some universities went no further than referring to such records as a character factor in the comprehensive student record screening, and in the regular admissions track there were cases where they were effectively not reflected or had little impact.
In other words, the effect of school violence disciplinary records on admissions was close to a matter of each university's discretion, and there was also a perception that a disadvantage in the early admissions track could be made up for through the regular admissions track.
From the 2026 academic year, however, the situation has fundamentally changed.
The institutional standards have been revised so that all universities must reflect school violence measures in every admissions track, including the student record, the College Scholastic Ability Test, and the essay examination.
Comparison: Before the 2025 Academic Year vs. After the 2026 Academic Year
Category | Before the 2025 Academic Year | After the 2026 Academic Year |
Whether Reflected | Discretionary reflection by some universities | Reflected as an admissions factor by all universities |
Reflection in Regular Admissions | Not reflected or limited impact | Fully reflected, including regular admissions |
Deduction Structure | Varied by university | Systematized point deductions and qualitative evaluation by disciplinary level |
Supplementary Recruitment | Limited impact | Deductions under the same standard through February 27 |
Possibility of Strategic Avoidance | Possible to make up in regular admissions after early admissions | Avoidance window effectively eliminated |
In the supplementary recruitment conducted by universities through February 27 as well, it is reported that they checked for school violence disciplinary records and reflected them in evaluation under the same standard as the early and regular admissions tracks.
This means that a school violence disciplinary record is not limited to a particular admissions track but, rather operates as a disadvantageous factor in the same way at each stage of university admissions, including the early, regular, and supplementary recruitment tracks.
In other words, the distinctive feature of this change is that, even if a different admissions track is chosen, the structure is not one in which a school violence disciplinary record is excluded from evaluation.
Background of the Institutional Change
Over recent years, education policy has shifted away from evaluation centered solely on academic achievement toward an emphasis on character factors such as a sense of community, responsibility, and consideration for others.
This institutional change, which makes the reflection of school violence disciplinary records mandatory in university admissions, also lies along this line of policy.
Its purpose is to hold conduct that infringes on community order accountable, and it is also tied to the policy direction of strengthening victim protection.
It also reflects a policy intent to reinforce the significance of records by expanding the practical use of the school life record.
That the system has been strengthened, however, also means that the ripple effect of disciplinary measures has become far greater than in the past.
Because the structure has changed so that a momentary mistake can significantly affect one's future even after graduation, an early response has become more important than after-the-fact measures.
2. How Records Are Actually Reflected in University Admissions
Quantitative Deduction and Comprehensive Evaluation Methods
Universities differ, according to their admissions guidelines, in the way they reflect school violence disciplinary records.
The first is a quantitative deduction method that subtracts a set number of points according to the disciplinary level.
This is a structure that applies specific deduction standards to measures at or above a certain level, and the method of reflection is often presented relatively clearly.
The second is a method that reflects the record as a comprehensive evaluation factor in the comprehensive student record screening.
The comprehensive student record screening evaluates not only subject grades but also learning attitude, community competency, and character in a comprehensive manner.
In this process, school violence measures may be used as a reference factor in evaluation, and the degree to which they are reflected may vary according to each university's standards.
Possible Impact by Disciplinary Level
Disciplinary Level | Level of Measure | Possible Impact on University Admissions |
Levels 1 to 3 | Relatively minor | May be used as a reference factor during evaluation |
Levels 4 to 6 | Intermediate level | Quantitative deduction applied or disadvantage in evaluation |
Levels 7 to 9 | Serious measure | May affect admissions results, such as through a wider deduction |
Accordingly, the judgment that "it is a minor disciplinary measure, so it is fine" may turn out differently depending on each university's reflection standards.
Factors Considered in the Comprehensive Evaluation Track
The comprehensive student record screening evaluates the school life record as a whole.
Accordingly, if a change in attitude or efforts at improvement following the disciplinary measure are recorded, they may be used as a reference factor in the comprehensive evaluation or interview process.
For example, content such as efforts to prevent recurrence, participation in community activities, and completion of special education may be interpreted as material showing the subsequent process of change.
3. The Structure of Long-Term Effects Following a Disciplinary Measure
A school violence disciplinary measure is not a short-term matter but a factor that may be considered throughout the entire admissions schedule.
It is not a short-term matter but a factor that may be considered throughout the entire admissions schedule.
(1) The Scope of Reflection Across University Admissions as a Whole
A school violence disciplinary record is not limited to a particular admissions track.
It is checked across university admissions as a whole, including both the early and regular admissions tracks, and deductions are applied according to each university's admissions guidelines.
In addition, school violence measures are checked under the same standard at the supplementary recruitment stage, which is included in the university admissions procedure.
(2) Scholarships and Internal University Selection Processes
At some universities, character and school life factors are reviewed alongside academic achievement when selecting scholarship recipients.
In such cases, even if the school violence measures entered in the school life record are not a direct deduction standard, it is difficult to rule out the possibility that they may be used as a reference factor in the overall judgment process.
(3) Possible Connection to Career Paths and the Public Sector
The school life record is preserved for a certain period and is in some cases used as a submitted document in processes such as applications to certain public institutions or for teaching positions.
It cannot be concluded, however, that it uniformly affects every career path, and the outcome may vary according to the submission-document standards of the institution to which one applies.
4. The Reflection of School Violence Spreading Even to High School Admissions
Recently, cases have been confirmed in which school violence disciplinary records function as a practical evaluation factor in high school admissions as well.
According to materials submitted by the Ministry of Education to the National Assembly's Education Committee, in the 2026 academic year admissions for gifted-education schools, Seoul Science High School and Gwangju Science High School each issued one rejection on the ground of a school violence record.
This is the second such instance following the 2024 academic year case at Gwangju Science High School.
In fact, 7 of the 8 gifted-education schools nationwide reflect school violence records in their admissions.
Seoul Science High School also specifies that a school life record noting any special matters, such as school violence, must be submitted, and Gyeonggi Science High School states in its admissions guidelines that only applicants with no disqualifying grounds related to school violence will be selected as final successful candidates, thereby raising the high school admissions barrier for "school violence perpetrators."
In addition, some schools are reported to include in their evaluation not only serious measures of Level 4 or above but also relatively minor measures of Levels 1 to 3.
A considerable number of autonomous private high schools, foreign language high schools, and international high schools also review whether school violence is recorded in the school life record at the interview stage, and there are cases where they examine this closely in the character interview even if it is not specified in the admissions guidelines.
In the end, even a school violence disciplinary measure at the middle school stage should not be handled lightly, and an attitude of careful management and preparation is more important than anything else.
5. Strategy for Responding to a Wrongful School Violence Disciplinary Measure
The Core of Responding at the School Violence Countermeasures Deliberation Committee Stage
The most important point in time is the School Violence Countermeasures Deliberation Committee stage.
At this stage, how the facts are organized and what materials are submitted directly affects the level of the measure.
The response to the case becomes the starting point that can determine the degree of burden in later admissions.
One must organize the course of events in concrete chronological order, secure objective evidence, and closely review whether the scope of responsibility has been excessively expanded.
It is also necessary to confirm whether the right of defense was sufficiently guaranteed during the statement process and whether there were any procedural defects.
If a sufficient response is not made at the early stage, the matter is later contested through an administrative appeal (a pre-litigation review before an administrative agency, comparable to an administrative appeal or agency review in common-law systems) or administrative litigation, and this process may take a considerable amount of time.
In particular, where the application or admissions schedule is imminent, evaluation may be carried out while the disciplinary measure remains in effect, so after-the-fact relief may not be realistically easy.
Procedural Illegality Issues
In the proceedings of the School Violence Countermeasures Deliberation Committee, problems such as insufficient guarantee of the right of defense, restricted access to evidence, distortion of statements, and violation of the principle of proportionality may arise.
Such factors can become issues that may shake the very legality of the disciplinary measure.
If such problems exist, the matter may be contested through an administrative appeal or administrative litigation.
In particular, where the admissions schedule is imminent, a prompt response strategy is needed.
Administrative Appeal, Administrative Litigation, and Assistance
Because a school violence disciplinary measure has the character of an administrative disposition, it may be subject to revocation if its illegality is recognized.
Where the admissions schedule is pressing, an urgent response such as an application for a stay of execution may be pursued in parallel, and this is an area that requires strategic judgment.
If an application for a stay of execution is granted, the effect of the disciplinary measure is suspended until the judgment on the merits becomes final, so the entry in the school life record or the application of a deduction in college admissions may be held in abeyance for a certain period.
This is a matter decided by the court, however, so a close review of whether the requirements are met must come first.
Daeryun Law Firm LLP views a school violence case not as a simple in-school dispute but as a matter connected to the admissions structure, and it responds in a coordinated manner, from responding at the School Violence Countermeasures Deliberation Committee stage through administrative appeal and administrative litigation to analyzing the effect on admissions and preparing a response strategy.
A wrongful disciplinary measure should be corrected, and even where one has already become final, a strategy to reduce its effect should be prepared.
If you need an accurate assessment of how the current situation may affect your child's admissions, 🔗Legal Consultation Reservation, you are welcome to request a consultation.
