Prosecutors Appeal Sentence of 4 Years Imprisonment for Teacher Who Put Detergent in Kindergarten Meals

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] The prosecution has appealed the first trial verdict against a kindergarten teacher who was sentenced to imprisonment for adding dishwashing detergent to kindergarten meals.

On the 21st, the prosecution announced that it had filed an appeal with the court regarding the case of teacher Park (50), who was indicted on charges including attempted special injury. The prosecution explained, "Considering the crime involved administering harmful substances over 10 times, the serious nature of the offense, the breach of child protection duties as a kindergarten teacher, and the fact that the defendant shifted responsibility onto fellow teachers, we have decided to appeal."

Earlier, on the 16th, Judge Yoon Jisuk of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 5 sentenced Park to four years in prison and ordered a 10-year employment ban at child-related institutions. The court stated in its sentencing rationale, "The defendant repeatedly added harmful substances such as dishwashing detergent to colleagues' medicine, drinks, meals, and even the meals of kindergarten children. Despite the significant risk to physical health and the fact that children, who should be protected, were targeted, the defendant consistently offered completely unacceptable excuses."

Park was indicted on charges of attempting to cause injury by adding surfactants and mosquito repellents to meal containers at a kindergarten in Seoul in November 2020 while working as a kindergarten teacher. There are also charges of adding harmful substances to a colleague's coffee cup and tumbler in the same year. During the trial, Park denied all charges. At the sentencing hearing held on the 10th of last month, the prosecution requested a 10-year prison sentence for Park, along with completion of a child abuse treatment program and a 10-year employment ban at child-related institutions.