Police and Education Authorities Verify Facts
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] At a middle school in Gangjin, a professional counselor claimed to have been assaulted and subjected to power harassment by the vice principal, prompting an investigation by the Gangjin Office of Education and the police.
According to the Gangjin Office of Education on the 18th, Mr. A, who works as a counselor at a middle school in Gangjin, reported to the police and filed a complaint with the education office, claiming that Vice Principal B at the same school assaulted him.
Initially, Counselor A alleged that Vice Principal B unfairly instructed tasks beyond his authority and verbally abused surrounding teachers in a closed space called the "Room of Truth" within the school.
However, it was confirmed that the two had an argument not in a closed space but in the broadcasting room, and that the selection of exam supervisors was made by the evaluation team within the education research department under the vice principal’s direction, with the principal making the final decision.
The school stated that on the 9th, to conduct basic academic proficiency tests in six subjects for students who had returned to normal attendance late due to COVID-19, they assigned exam supervision to counselors as per precedent.
Regarding the alleged assault and power harassment, Counselor A and Vice Principal B presented conflicting accounts.
Counselor A stated, “While we were talking in the broadcasting room, the vice principal pushed me as I was trying to leave, and I was assaulted to the extent that bruises appeared on my body,” adding, “The vice principal usually demanded greetings every morning and made counselors, who do not have teaching rights, conduct classes.”
He further added, “The vice principal threatened or exerted power harassment by saying that if anyone contradicted him, he would write down their name and make an extreme choice.”
On the other hand, Vice Principal B said, “I did not assault anyone, nor did I demand greetings or engage in power harassment,” and explained, “The classes the counselor refers to were not regular classes but experiential club activities involving external instructors, which are also implemented in other schools.”
A school official said, “When the voices of the two escalated and Counselor A tried to leave, Vice Principal B tried to hold him back, saying ‘Let’s finish the conversation,’” adding, “Vice Principal B claims he only held the wrist at that time and never committed any assault.”
The official continued, “The school, which had just resumed normal classes after four months due to COVID-19, is struggling with a shortage of personnel,” and said, “The staff are exhausted from excessive workloads, and incidents like this make the school’s situation very difficult.”
An official from the Office of Education said, “The two parties’ claims contradict each other, and the alleged power harassment claimed by Counselor A was found to be inconsistent with the facts upon verification,” adding, “Since the investigation is ongoing, it is difficult to disclose detailed information.”
The Gangjin police and education authorities are currently investigating the detailed circumstances based on the statements of both parties.
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