[Comprehensive] Investigation Launched into Ulsan Teacher Who Assigned 'Underwear Laundry' Homework... Petition for Dismissal Emerges

Ulsan First Grade Homeroom Teacher's 'Underwear Laundry' Homework Controversy
"Dismiss the Elementary Teacher Assigning 'Underwear Laundry'" Petition Emerges
Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education Requests Police Investigation

Teacher A assigned students underwear laundry homework last year and then posted a video/photo. Photo by Online Community Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Controversy has erupted over elementary school first-grade teacher A from Ulsan, who assigned underwear washing as homework and left comments such as "Our princess's pink underwear is pretty" and "Pretty underwear, so shy." As his past remarks and behavior have come to light, netizens are outraged. A also commented on a letter from one of his students, saying, "What a waste. I'm begging my wife for a divorce."

As the scandal unfolded, A explained, "There was insufficient communication with parents." However, the controversy has not subsided, with petitions demanding A's dismissal being posted on the Blue House's national petition board. A is currently excluded from his duties.

Recently, various posts and photos that teacher A had uploaded on his blog in the past were shared on online communities. A wrote on his blog, "My class friends greet each other with hugs twice a day," adding, "Since I am a male teacher, I hear concerns that I hug grown young ladies(?) without hesitation. But not all teachers should be intimidated because of the actions of a few irresponsible ones."

Related content also appears in a book A published last year. In his book released in June last year, A wrote, "My students and I greet each other with hugs twice a day," adding, "I set the rule to do it twice." The book also includes statements such as "I visited a pajama party with female students" and "We enjoy 'play dates' every lunch break on the rooftop, library, and gym." He even held an author lecture event in the Ulsan area based on this book.

Statement from Teacher A. Photo by Online Community

Looking at his past posts, A referred to his nickname as 'Beast.' He wrote, "Children should not realize they are being raised. They are just playing but are being raised and habituated," and "I am the owner of the beasts I raise, which are you."

Moreover, regarding a student's letter stating, "When I grow up to be a lovely lady, I will marry a wonderful man like the teacher," A commented, "What a pity. You were born too late. Wait. I'm begging my wife for a divorce."

As the scandal spread, A stated in a position paper, "What is communication?" He said, "One parent in my class filed a complaint, and I received a call from the education office. They said my comments seemed like I was judging children by their appearance, but that could be because they don't know me well."

He continued, "Posts on the community are not communication. Unknown people who don't know me come to YouTube to curse, which hurts people's feelings," adding, "I usually don't comment on children's photos, but since it was online school and I thought the children would strongly want to come to school, I left comments. If my expression using the term 'sexy panties' caused misunderstanding, I will refrain from such mentions in the future."

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Website Board Capture

Despite A's apology, the controversy has not died down. On the 28th, a post titled "Please dismiss the male teacher who assigned underwear washing homework to first graders in Ulsan elementary school and sexually harassed students with comments like 'sexy panties,' 'Princess shyly clear,' and 'charming and sexy ○○'" was posted on the Blue House national petition website. As of 9 a.m. on the 29th, just one day after posting, the petition had garnered over 93,300 signatures.

The petitioner stated, "After online school started, A created a group chat with parents on SNS and asked them to upload students' photos, then repeatedly left sexually objectifying comments on the photos of female students. This led to a report, and the education office informed A of the issue, but after assigning underwear washing homework, A again sexually objectified and sexually harassed the children."

They added, "Elementary school teachers must have a much higher sensitivity to human rights and sexual awareness to serve as role models. Elementary students grow by modeling their teachers, internalizing and learning from their words and actions."

The petitioner demanded, "If A remains in the classroom, the young children will learn sexual harassment without hesitation. Please dismiss A so that children can live in a safe and clean school without fear of violence."

The Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education has also excluded the teacher from duties and requested a police investigation. After receiving the police investigation results, the education office plans to hold a personnel committee to decide on disciplinary action against A.