SEOUL, May 6, 2009 (AFP) - A South Korean university professor who promised his class extra marks for running marathons has been held responsible for a student's death during the event, reports said Wednesday.

The Seoul Central District Court Monday ordered the unidentified academic and his university to pay 50 million won (S$57,932) to the parents of the student, the Korea Times and Korea Herald reported.

They said the professor, who taught statistics but was also a keen athlete, offered extra marks to male students who ran a half-marathon and to female students who competed in a 10-km event.

The student took part in a half-marathon in Seoul in May 2008 but collapsed and died during the event. His parents filed suit, arguing his participation was effectively compulsory.

Judges noted that competition for good grades is especially crucial during the economic slowdown.