[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] A former kindergarten teacher who hit and abused kindergarten children preparing for a school performance, saying "You did the rhythm wrong," received a suspended prison sentence.
On the 24th, Judge Kim Ji-hoo of the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 11 announced that A (28), who was tried for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (aggravated punishment for child abuse by workers at child welfare facilities), was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year suspension.
Additionally, A was ordered to complete 160 hours of community service, 40 hours of a child abuse treatment program, and was banned from employment at child-related institutions for three years.
A was indicted for repeatedly assaulting 11 children around the age of five from December 2 to 13, 2019, causing physical and emotional abuse.
A assaulted children for reasons such as not concentrating in class or not eating well, and during the practice of rhythm movements for the school performance, when a child made a wrong movement, A pushed the child's head backward causing them to fall, and hit their back with knees or palms.
A resigned after the issue arose within the kindergarten.
The court stated, "A abused children multiple times beyond proper disciplinary methods, causing mental harm not only to the victims but also to their parents. However, considering that A deeply regrets the wrongdoing, reached agreements with the parents of three children who do not wish for punishment, and that colleagues and some parents have petitioned for leniency," explaining the reasons for the sentencing.
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