"Did Not Receive Teacher's Day Gift"... 30s Teacher Mentioning 'Saenggibu' to Student Sparks Power Abuse Controversy

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Allegations have arisen that a teacher at a high school in Gwangju abused her authority over her students after not receiving a Teacher's Day gift. As the controversy grew, the teacher was removed from her homeroom position.

On the 12th, according to the Citizens' Coalition for an Education Without Discrimination, a female teacher in her 30s, identified as Ms. A, who was accused of abusing her authority over students at a girls' high school in Nam-gu, Gwangju, was excluded from her homeroom duties.

It is reported that in May, after students decided through a vote not to give Teacher's Day gifts, Ms. A took offense and abused her homeroom authority.

In particular, during this process, Ms. A sent social network service (SNS) messages implying that students who opposed the vote would face disadvantages in their school records.

She reportedly expressed her disappointment in a group chat with the students, saying, "I worked hard, but I guess I was not a true teacher to you," and "Let's neither expect nor receive anything from each other anymore."

Some students reported feeling psychological pressure and anxiety about facing Ms. A. Upon learning of this, parents protested to the school, and the school confirmed some of the facts and removed Ms. A from her homeroom position.

The citizens' coalition criticized in a statement, "This act, close to intimidation, was directed at students and parents who are sensitive about their grades due to the comprehensive student record screening," adding, "In a society where education is swayed by money, we cannot speak of hope."