On root-cause, I wonder if it’s some variation or combination of “publish or perish” linked to failure averse political and cultural structures? I don’t think the circumstances are unique to SK as you see similar effect globally where success is measured purely quantitatively (I.e X number of published papers for promotion, X% score on a test to avoid military service).
One thing I can’t get my head around is how the surrounding narrative was so bizarre. Particularly the “death bed dying wish”. Is this a result of 20+ years of lead poisoning combined with aforementioned political issues?
This is surely going to be a 'boy who cried wolf' moment for Korean schools.