Damyang High School Student Claims "Repeated Assault" Sparks Controversy Over School's Negligent Response

Damyang Office of Education

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] A high school in Damyang, Jeonnam, is embroiled in controversy after allegations surfaced that it neglected a student who was repeatedly subjected to school violence through a complacent response.

According to the guardian of the victim student on the 16th, A (18), a second-year student at a high school in Damyang, was assaulted by a classmate B (18) at around 5 p.m. on the 12th at school. Due to the assault, A received a two-week medical diagnosis at the hospital.

At the time, the two students, who had been arguing in the classroom, met separately behind the building of the Construction Design Department as their voices escalated. There, B punched A in the stomach and face and hit his neck and other areas.

The victim’s parent stated, “My son has been suffering from school violence since the beginning of the school year, and we have protested to the school several times,” adding, “However, due to the school’s complacent response, my son was not protected at all.”

They further claimed, “Although this is the first time my son was physically assaulted by B, he has been continuously bullied and subjected to school violence by other school friends.”

They continued, “Every time my son said he wanted to quit school, I persuaded him to endure a little longer, but seeing him continuously bullied breaks my heart,” and added, “I trusted the school and entrusted him, but now I have lost faith in the school.”

A school official stated, “The student identified as the perpetrator of school violence against A last year has already left the school,” and added, “A ban on contact with the perpetrator has been imposed, and after a two-week reconciliation period, we plan to hold a school violence committee meeting in consultation with the Education Support Office.”

They continued, “Due to the nature of the school, most students come from difficult family backgrounds and have low academic performance, making guidance challenging,” and added, “We have worked hard to prevent students from dropping out, so it is regrettable that this incident occurred. We will do our best to resolve this smoothly.”

Meanwhile, the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education and the Damyang Education Support Office have begun verifying the facts regarding the school.