Baek Gang-hyun's Father: "The Fact of Returning to School Is Not True... Was There School Violence? Incorrect Information"

The side of Baek Gang-hyun, who entered Seoul Science High School at the age of 9 but was planning to withdraw after one semester, stated on the 22nd that the media reports claiming he had withdrawn his intention to drop out are "not true."

Baek's father said through a YouTube channel on the same day, "The reports stating that the withdrawal was retracted and that he would return to school from Thursday are not true." Regarding the article that "the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education's internal investigation into Seoul Science High School did not find any signs of school violence," he stated, "This is incorrect information, and we have been contacted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education requesting a correction."

Baek Ganghyun [Image source=Baek Ganghyun SNS]

Earlier, a media outlet reported that the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said, "We heard that Baek would return to school from Thursday," and that since the school did not accept the withdrawal letter submitted by Baek's side, if Baek returns to school, it would naturally be considered a 'withdrawal retraction.'

Baek appeared on SBS's 'Youngjae Balguldan' in 2016, showing outstanding talent in mathematics and music, gaining attention for solving equations. He graduated from elementary school in three years and entered middle school, and after one year, in March, he was admitted early to Seoul Science High School. However, on the 18th, he suddenly announced that he would "withdraw."

Baek said, "I withdrew from Seoul Science High School," and added, "The morning after the recent vacation ended, as I was brushing my teeth and hurriedly memorizing math formulas before going to school, I saw myself in the mirror becoming a machine solving problems."

Baek's father also revealed that he received baseless slander and threatening emails from parents of senior students at the science high school. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Seoul Science High School recognized signs of emotional bullying by other students against Baek during a consultation between Baek's guardian and the homeroom teacher in May. The homeroom teacher informed the guardian that a school violence report could be filed but requested guidance through counseling activities for the involved students. Later, it was reported that Baek's side clashed with the school while requesting changes to the way Baek presented team projects.