Elementary School Teacher's Extreme Choice... Continuous Stream of Memorials

Placing Chrysanthemums Down and Sticking Post-its
Condolence Wreaths Line the Fence

A teacher at an elementary school in Seoul was found to have taken their own life on campus, prompting a continuous outpouring of mourning from teachers, parents, and citizens.

People are paying tribute to the late teacher Mr. A at an elementary school in Seocho-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the 21st, more than 1,500 condolence wreaths were lined up along the fence of the elementary school. At the school gate, post-it notes with messages of condolence were attached, reading, “We are truly sorry to the senior teacher who has run the path of teaching for so long. We will make sure your death is not in vain,” “We will never forget you, teacher,” and “Rest peacefully in a better place.”

Frontline teachers shed tears as they mourned. One teacher said, “It doesn’t feel like someone else’s problem. I came because I am carrying similar worries,” and was at a loss for words. Another teacher choked up, saying, “Malicious complaints from parents and uncontrollable students are part of teachers’ daily lives,” adding, “Among ourselves, we often say that someone has to die for things to change. It’s so heartbreaking that a young teacher has passed away like this.”

Parents and citizens also continued to visit. Parent Lee Yoona (37) said, “I was shocked and felt sorry when I heard about this incident, so I stopped by on my way to work,” adding, “There should never be any abuse of power by parents. I also reflected on whether I might have caused any harm to the teachers.” University student Kim Seongyong (20) emphasized, “This incident must never be buried and should become a turning point for the restoration of teachers’ authority,” and added, “I hope there will be no more such sacrifices.”

Condolence wreaths with messages mourning the deceased and demanding a thorough investigation were also delivered to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education from all over the country. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Mr. A, who was a homeroom teacher for first graders, was found dead inside the school on the morning of the 18th.