After Seoul, in Incheon too... Teacher's Hair Pulled by Elementary Student

Special Education Teacher Claims "Assaulted for 2 Months"
Teacher Rights Protection Committee Holds Hearing, Student Receives 'Suspension' Penalty

Recently, an incident where a teacher was assaulted by a 6th-grade student at a public elementary school in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, came to light, and it was later revealed that a similar case occurred last month in Incheon.

According to a Yonhap News report on the 20th, A, a special class teacher at an elementary school in Incheon, was assaulted by a student, B, in the classroom around 12:40 PM on the 23rd of last month. Teacher A did not disclose the student's age or grade, expressing concern about any exposure of the student's personal information. It was reported that B attended both regular and special classes.

On the 23rd of last month, a special education teacher at an elementary school in Incheon was knocked down while having their hair pulled by a student. Provided by informant.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

At the time, B reportedly showed aggressive behavior toward other students and was warned by Teacher A. Suddenly, B grabbed Teacher A's hair while she was sitting on a chair, pulling it and causing her to fall off the chair. As a result, Teacher A experienced severe pain in her neck and was unable to move properly, eventually being transported to the hospital by a 119 ambulance.

Prior to this incident, Teacher A claimed to have been subjected to continuous verbal and physical abuse by B for two months since April. According to Teacher A, repeated hair-pulling caused severe neck pain, and bruises and wounds frequently appeared on her face, arms, and legs. She had already been diagnosed with a four-week recovery period due to the two months of abuse and was undergoing treatment, which has now been extended to about six weeks due to this recent incident.

Injuries on Teacher A's neck and arm caused by student assault. Provided by informant [Photo by Yonhap News]

In a phone interview with Yonhap News, Teacher A said, "I endured the verbal abuse and assault because I had no choice," adding, "The parents are blaming the teacher, saying the student acted out of dislike for the teacher."

The school held a teacher protection committee earlier this month and suspended B from attending school. However, if B returns to school after the suspension and summer vacation in August, it is uncertain whether proper separation measures will be implemented, as Teacher A is the only special education teacher at the school. A school official stated, "It is true that the teacher protection committee was held after the circumstances of the student's assault on the teacher were revealed," and added, "We are preparing measures such as increasing support staff."

Jang Eun-mi, chairperson of the National Special Education Teachers' Union, pointed out, "Special education teachers are exposed to daily violence but have no choice but to continue facing their assigned students," and urged, "The Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education should actively take exceptional transfer measures or expand substitute personnel."

Earlier, on the 30th of last month, a similar incident occurred at a public elementary school in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, where C, a 6th-grade homeroom teacher, was assaulted by a student, D, in the classroom in front of other students. D is also known to have emotional and behavioral disorders.