[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) has expressed welcome over the prosecution's decision not to indict teacher Bae Isangheon regarding the recommendation for screening a gender equality film.
The KTU Gwangju branch released a statement on the 12th, saying, "It has been a frustrating time of over a year during which a teacher who taught according to the national curriculum was excluded from the classroom," and added, "It was absurd that our teachers had to witness the ridiculous situation of having to dispute whether conducting gender equality educational activities, a value our society should aspire to, could be considered a crime. We feel deeply regretful and appalled."
They continued, "Now, the remaining responsibility lies with the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education," and stated, "The Gwangju Office of Education must promptly restore Gwangju education, which was hurt by administrative violence, to the state before the incident."
They urged, "The Office of Education should explain the circumstances to the relevant school and students, reflect on the administrative procedures that abandoned their fundamental role, and restore the honor of teacher Bae Isangheon," adding, "Measures to prevent recurrence must be established to protect gender equality educational activities that nurture democratic citizens, and Superintendent Jang Hwikuk, who is the overall person responsible for the situation so far, should apologize to the education community and citizens."
They also stated, "The KTU will continue to do its best in its role for a gender-equal society, and we reiterate that our struggle to guarantee teachers' right to teach is not opposition or refusal to students' complaints."
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