Elementary School Teacher Death in Jeonbuk Ahead of 'Seoicho Teacher 49th Memorial'

Jeon-gyo-jo "Workplace Conflict Due to Promotion Issues" Claims

On the 4th, four days before the 49th-day memorial service of a teacher who died by suicide at an elementary school in Seocho-gu, Seoul, another elementary school teacher in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, also died by suicide.

The Gunsan Coast Guard and others announced on the 1st that at around 10:25 a.m., teacher A (in their 30s) from an elementary school in Gunsan was found dead in the sea near Dongbaek Bridge.

A citizen is offering flowers at the memorial altar for the homeroom teacher of Seo-i Elementary School, who died by suicide, at the Gangnam Seocho Office of Education in Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The day before, at around 8 a.m. on the 31st of last month, the Coast Guard received a report stating, "A vehicle with hazard lights on is stopped on the bridge." They deployed more than ten rescue boats and conducted underwater operations but were unable to prevent A’s death.

A’s mobile phone screen, found in the vehicle, showed an open memo app containing a note expressing feelings of hardship, self-blame, and a farewell message to family members, which is believed to be a suicide note.

The Coast Guard requested digital forensic analysis of the phone to investigate the cause of death.

The Jeonbuk Provincial Office of Education stated, "It has been confirmed that there were no difficulties in school life as the relationship between students and teachers was good."

In response, the Jeonbuk branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) issued a press release demanding, "The truth behind what happened to the teacher who jumped must be clearly investigated."

The organization emphasized, "According to what we have heard, A had conflicts at work related to promotion issues. A thorough investigation should be conducted to determine whether there was bullying, abuse of power, or discrimination, and measures must be taken to prevent recurrence."

On the same day, another elementary school teacher working in Seoul also died. This teacher, in their 30s with 14 years of experience, took their own life in an apartment in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

The Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations expressed, "We cannot contain our deep sorrow and grief," and urged, "Not only the investigative authorities but also the relevant education offices must conduct thorough investigations to uncover the truth behind why these two teachers took their precious lives."

※ If you or someone around you is struggling with difficult feelings such as depression, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling through the Suicide Prevention Hotline ☎1393, Mental Health Counseling ☎1577-0199, Lifeline ☎1588-9191, Youth Hotline ☎1388, the youth mobile counseling app 'Da Deureojul Gae,' KakaoTalk, and other platforms.