"Fear Was Great About the Environment Surrounding the Two Children"
"Promise to Prevent Recurrence... Will Pay the Price if There Is One"
Cartoonist Ju Homin confessed that he recorded a conversation between his son and his son's homeroom teacher. Earlier, controversy arose when it was revealed that he secretly recorded statements made by a special education teacher, suspecting his son was a victim of abuse.
On the 2nd, Ju Homin explained the circumstances that led him to record conversations between his son and the special education teacher and homeroom teacher through 'YouTube.' In the video, he said, "Children with autism engage in what is called 'pattern conversation.' Usually, when I ask 'How was your day?' after school, the conversation continues with responses like 'It was fun.' However, my son became extremely anxious, saying things like 'I did wrong' or repeating obsessive phrases."
He continued, "His cognitive ability is lower than his peers, and communication is impossible, so I couldn't think of a way to find out the cause. I had seen reports where abuse was uncovered through recordings in child abuse cases, so I didn't expect this to be criticized," he added.
Ju Homin said he put a recorder in his son's bag and sent him to school only twice. The first time was during a conversation with special education teacher Mr. A, and the second was during a conversation with the homeroom teacher.
Ju Homin explained that after confirming statements from Mr. A that could be considered child abuse, he also recorded the conversation with the homeroom teacher. He said, "The activity support staff who accompanied my son to school told me that my son was unable to concentrate in class, so they gave him one-on-one tutoring. At that moment, I recalled the recording of the special education teacher. I felt fear about my son being alone with the special education teacher, and I did something I shouldn't have done."
He added, "The homeroom teacher, the activity support staff, and my child were in the bathroom, and the two of them saw the recorder. Since the school members could not view us favorably after the first recording, I was very afraid of the environment surrounding my child. I made a shameful and foolish choice impulsively without much thought," he admitted.
He emphasized, "It was a single impulsive act. My child's mother also felt terrible and immediately disposed of the recorder. I apologized to both of them and promised that this would never happen again. If there is a price to pay, I will pay it anytime."
Earlier, in September last year, Ju Homin filed a complaint against Mr. A for abusing his son. Mr. A is accused of making inappropriate remarks to Ju Homin's son, Mr. B. Mr. A was brought to trial and is currently awaiting the third hearing.
Mr. A was suspended after a child abuse report but Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education Lim Taehee decided to reinstate him on the 1st. Superintendent Lim explained the reason for reinstatement on the 31st of last month, saying, "If a teacher is suspended simply because the prosecution has 'requested a formal trial' during the investigation of the case, it would cause great harm to teachers who are dedicated to special education in the field."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
