"My son, how could you leave before your mother?"... Mother of high school student who died by suicide due to school violence expresses "rage"

High School Student Who Made Extreme Choice on a Mountain in Gwangju Last June
Evidence of School Bullying During Life... Police Investigation Launched
Bereaved Family: "Will Use Any Means to Clear Son's Name"

A handwritten letter by the mother of a high school student found dead last June on a mountain in Gwangju / Photo by Internet Community Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] "I clothed, fed, and raised him for 17 years and 6 months, but he left before me..."

In June, the mother of a high school student who was found dead in a mountain in Gwangju revealed a handwritten letter expressing her feelings after losing her son. The mother stated, "We are using every possible means to clear the injustice," urging a thorough investigation into her son's death. Earlier, it was revealed that the high school student had been a victim of school violence during his lifetime, causing a public uproar.

On the 27th, a post titled "I am the mother of a school violence victim in Gwangju" was uploaded on an online community. The writer, who identified herself as the mother of the deceased high school student A, expressed her sorrow through a handwritten letter, saying, "In your last letter to me, you said to be sad for only a week and then to smile again," and added, "Mom can't fulfill that request. I miss you so much."

She continued, "Instead, I will punish all those who made you suffer," and added, "Be happy in the place without pain. Let's meet again someday."

The video delivered by A's friend’s parents to the bereaved family captured A being bullied at school. / Photo by MBN Broadcasting Capture

A’s mother said, "My son could not speak about the harm he suffered," and emphasized, "Our family is using every possible means to clear his injustice, but our strength alone is not enough. We need your help."

She also urged netizens to participate in the national petition, saying, "If the petition reaches over 200,000 signatures, it will attract national attention and prompt a swift investigation."

A was found dead around 11:20 a.m. on the 29th of last month in a mountain in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. At the time, the police judged that there was no evidence of external injury or homicide, and leaned toward closing the case.

However, the day before the funeral, the bereaved family received a video from the parents of A’s friend, which shifted the case into an unexpected phase. The video showed A being bullied by peers. Shockingly, one of the perpetrators who bullied A was scheduled to carry his coffin at the funeral.

The bereaved family of Mr. A posted a petition on the Blue House National Petition Board urging strict punishment for the perpetrator. The petition met the Blue House's official response requirement of 200,000 endorsements with 7 days remaining before the deadline. / Photo by Blue House National Petition Board screenshot

The bereaved family reported this fact to the police as evidence, stating that "A seems to have been a victim of school violence," and the police launched an investigation.

On the 7th, the police visited a high school in Gwangsan-gu that A attended and conducted a full survey of 352 second-year students who were classmates of A. During the investigation, 11 high school students were booked on charges including joint assault under the Act on the Punishment of Violent Crimes.

The bereaved family also posted a petition on the Blue House national petition board, asking for punishment of the perpetrators who bullied their son.

On the 5th, the bereaved family urged, "Our son, who used to wave his hand with a smiling face as he went to school, went to a nearby mountain and ended his life by himself," and added, "Please stand by us so that we do not get tired and can fight for the strict punishment of the students who committed school violence. Help us until a world without school violence comes."

With 7 days left until the deadline, the petition has already surpassed 200,000 participants as of the morning of the 29th, meeting the official response requirement of the Blue House.

※If you or someone around you is struggling with difficult feelings such as depression, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling at suicide prevention hotlines ☎1577-0199, Hope Phone ☎129, Life Phone ☎1588-9191, and Youth Phone ☎1388.