Hagwon () is the Korean-language word for a for-profit private institute, academy, or cram school prevalent in South Korea. Although most widely known for their role as "cram schools", where children can study to improve test scores, hagwons actually perform several educational functions: supplementary education that many children need just to keep up with the public school curriculum remedial education for the children who fall behind in their work training in areas not covered in schools (or covered poorly in public schools) preparation for students striving to improve test scores and preparing for the high school and university entrance examinations (the university entrance exam is also called suneung (수능)) Many other children, particularly younger children, attend nonacademic hagwons for piano lessons, art instruction, swimming, and taekwondo (태권도). Most young children in South Korea attend a hagwon. Hagwons also play a social role; occasionally children ask to be sent because their friends attend. There also exist hagwons for adults, such as flower arrangement and driving instruction hagwons. The term is also sometimes used to describe similar institutions operated by Korean Americans in the United States. Children of all ages often attend hagwons, even pre-school aged children. It is not uncommon for students to be enrolled in several hagwons of different subject areas at once in addition to their normal school attendance. Hagwons often specialize in subjects like mathematics, foreign languages, science, arts, or music. Additionally there are flight attendant, pro gamer, hip hop, and aspiring K-pop hagwons. Many hagwons also have adults as students, particularly those dedicated to teaching the English language. While some see hagwons as filling a need not being adequately met by the public school system, others see them as creating an unequal footing between the poor and rich in Korea. In 2008, it was reported that there were over 70,000 hagwons in South Korea with 47 percent of them focused on high school enrollment. History and regulations In 1885, Henry Appenzeller founded the Paichai school (배재대학교) as a cover for his missionary work. At the time it was illegal to preach other religions in Korea. Although his main goal was to spread his faith, it was still used by Koreans to learn English. Private education, known as gwaoe (과외), was banned by President Chun Doo-hwan (전두환) in 1980. It was felt the advantage of private education unfairly burdened the poor and to promote equality, all access to