A distrust of public schools was part of the reason South Korean parents spend an average $234.21 per child per month on education, the Yonhap News Agency reported.

The survey, commissioned by the Education Ministry, cannot be compared to other years, as it was the first conducted. But, South Korean President-elect Lee Myung-bak's interest in "competition focused education" may trigger even more spending on private educations, experts told Yonhap.

The report said South Korean parents' spending on education reached $21.13 billion in 2007.