Swallowing Tears Repeatedly with Bloodshot Eyes
"This Must Never Happen Again"
On the morning of the 4th, the 49th day memorial of Seo I-cho, a teacher who passed away on July 19, took place at Seo I Elementary School in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Passing by a booth set up at the main gate for writing condolence notes, about 70 meters inside the school, a memorial space appeared in front of the multipurpose room on one side of the school. Condolence notes were sparsely attached to one wall, and opposite them was a space for offering flowers and silent prayers.
On the 49th day memorial of the late Seo Elementary School teacher on the 4th, elementary school students placed flowers and observed a moment of silence at the memorial altar set up at Seo Elementary School in Seoul. Photo by Huh Younghan younghan@
One by one, visitors began to come to the memorial space. Perhaps due to the education authorities' strict response, warning that temporary (discretionary) school closures or individual teachers' use of personal or sick leave were illegal, there were more teachers on leave or retired teachers than active ones. They held back tears with bloodshot eyes and flushed faces as they paid their respects.
Retired teacher Lee Myung-sook (76, female) said, "I came to the memorial space hoping that in the next life, you will live as an excellent educator in a good environment," adding, "I worked for 29 years and have been out of teaching for 17 years, but back then, there was respect and courtesy for teachers. This situation is very heartbreaking," she choked up. Park (38, female), a teacher at a middle school in Seoul, also said, "Since I am on leave, I am visiting all the memorial spaces I can. I also plan to participate in the rally in front of the National Assembly this afternoon," adding, "I want to wholeheartedly pay tribute so that you are not lonely having gone alone." She also raised her voice, saying, "There have been no false accusations related to child abuse reports. Even if there were false accusations, parents would be more cautious and would not harass teachers simply because they feel upset."
On the 49th day memorial of the late Seo-i Elementary School teacher on the 4th, a student at Seo-i Elementary School in Seoul is attaching a note with a condolence message to a memorial banner. Photo by Huh Younghan younghan@
General citizens also lined up to pay their respects. Jeong (41, female), a parent who came with two elementary school children, said, "I applied for experiential learning at the children's school to support and comfort the final journey," adding, "I hope this becomes an opportunity for the children to think about the meaning of school, how to live as members, and their mutual rights and duties." Im (12, male), a 6th-grade elementary school student who came to the memorial, said, "It's a sad thing. I hope those in power will stop this from happening again," paying tribute. Lee (39, male), an office worker whose wife is an elementary school teacher, said, "I took a day off and came. I think this should never happen again," holding tightly the hand of the child who came with him, adding, "It hurts that everyone is being condemned because of a few parents and students, and I hope institutional measures will be put in place to prevent such parents."
Soft chanting was heard for about 30 minutes at the memorial space. Oh Myung-sook (76, female), who came from Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province to pay respects, said, "It's so heartbreaking to think how much pain there must have been to make such an extreme choice. I came to pay tribute with the hope that you rest in paradise. I wanted to stay longer, but I got up first, thinking I might disturb other mourners," adding, "Human rights belong not only to students but to everyone. I hope proper measures will be prepared."
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