"Qualifications Should Be Revoked to Prevent Anyone from Becoming a Principal Again"
Illegal filming camera found in a girls' restroom at an elementary school in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province. / Photo by Gyeonggi Teachers' Union
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] A petition demanding the disclosure of personal information and severe punishment for the principal of an elementary school in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, who was arrested on charges of installing a small camera in the female teachers' restroom at the school where he works, has emerged.
On the 29th, a post titled "We urge severe punishment and disclosure of personal information for the principal who installed a camera in the female teachers' restroom at an elementary school" was uploaded on the Blue House National Petition Board.
The petitioner cited an article covering the incident and began, "Principal A has been working at the elementary school for four years and is known to have experience working as a professional in the education office."
He continued, "Principal A reportedly prevented the teachers who found the illegal filming camera from reporting it," adding, "His behavior was so strange that one staff member reported him to the police, leading to his arrest."
He emphasized, "We want the personal information of Principal A, who illegally filmed, to be disclosed," and "He must be severely punished and disqualified from ever serving as a principal again."
The petition has gathered over 8,000 signatures, exceeding the 100-signature threshold required for public disclosure, and is currently under review by the administrators.
Petition Urging Severe Punishment and Public Disclosure of Personal Information of the Principal Who Installed a Small Camera in the Elementary School Female Teacher's Restroom / Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board
Principal A (57), who was caught secretly installing a small camera in the female teachers' restroom on campus (violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes), was arrested on the 30th.
According to the Anyang Dongan Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, the court that conducted the pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing) for Principal A on that day issued the warrant, citing concerns over evidence destruction and flight risk.
Principal A is accused of secretly installing a small camera measuring 2 to 4 cm inside the female teachers' restroom and filming women's bodies with his mobile phone.
The crime was uncovered when a staff member who was about to use the restroom found the camera installed inside a tissue box and reported it to the school. The police, who responded to the report, found Principal A's passive attitude toward the report suspicious and confirmed the crime during an interview.
During the investigation, digital forensic analysis of the principal's mobile phone revealed six videos secretly filmed of women's bodies and three photos captured from these videos.
Principal A partially admitted to the charges during the police investigation, stating, "It is true that I installed the camera, but I had no sexual intent," according to reports.
The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education has suspended Principal A from his position and launched an audit, planning to proceed with disciplinary action based on the results of the police investigation.
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