"How Long Must This Continue..." Record of Appeal by Daejeon Teacher Who Committed Suicide Released

Cases of School Authority Violations in July Reported Directly
Police Reported for Child Abuse, 10-Month Long Fight Alone

"I didn't know how long I would have to endure this, so I am sending this email."

On the 9th, records were revealed showing that an elementary school teacher in Daejeon, who reportedly died after suffering from malicious complaints, had experienced violations of teacher authority by a specific parent during their lifetime.

These records clearly show traces of the deceased teacher feeling helpless as an educator. It was revealed that the teacher took antidepressants during their lifetime, lost pride in being a teacher, and received no help from anyone.

On the afternoon of the 8th, people are crying in front of the memorial wreaths placed in front of the school where the deceased teacher worked.
Photo by Yonhap News

The late teacher, Mr. A, also personally reported his case. He shared the situation from when he was a first-grade homeroom teacher in 2019, in response to a call for reports on teacher authority violations conducted by the Elementary School Teachers' Union in July.

The records describe circumstances where four students in the class disobeyed the teacher's instructions and continuously bullied classmates. There is also mention of student B, who filed a child abuse complaint against teacher A.

According to the records, from March, when the semester began, student B played tag in the classroom and choked other friends by wrapping his arm around their necks, which was addressed as behavioral guidance.

The student also suddenly shouted during class, and when teacher A asked why, B refused to answer and resisted. Student B also kicked and pinched friends.

Eventually, in April, teacher A held a meeting with student B's parents. At that time, the parent said, "The rules set with the class kids were just too strict; there was no intention to bully anyone," and added, "It seems because the teacher has never taught first grade before. Please quietly scold or notify us by text," according to the records.

Student B's behavior did not change, and bullying actions such as pinching friends or hitting their stomachs were repeated.

Teacher A also received protest calls from student B's parents. When B refused to eat lunch and lay down in the cafeteria, teacher A tried to get him up, but the parent complained, saying, "You touched my child’s body and disciplined him in front of the entire school, which is unpleasant."

Afterward, behaviors such as chewing on erasers or paper during class, pinching friends, continuously folding colored paper during lessons, and refusing to answer teacher A’s questions continued.

From the second semester, student B kicked friends in the stomach and slapped their cheeks. Eventually, teacher A asked the principal to intervene and guide student B.

Teacher A also complained that he received little help from the principal and vice principal at the time. The next day, student B’s parents came to the teachers’ office demanding an apology, but the principal and others did not step in, according to reports.

Teacher A’s Long 10-Month Battle Alone

Teacher A said he only tried to correct the student’s wrong behavior and did not intend to cause emotional harm, but the parent reported him for child abuse to the National Petition Board and the police on December 2.

Teacher A reportedly felt wronged during this process. He requested a teacher authority protection committee meeting, but it was not accepted. After that, teacher A had to fight a long battle alone for 10 months.

According to an investigation by Save the Children, a child abuse investigation agency, the case was judged as "emotional abuse," transferred to the police station, and after police and prosecution investigations, teacher A was finally cleared of charges.

During this process, teacher A pointed out problems with the investigation agency, saying they had no knowledge of or willingness to understand the educational environment.

In the teacher authority counseling content submitted by teacher A, he revealed, "I have been comforting myself while receiving psychiatric treatment for three years, but after seeing the Seoicho incident again, fear resurfaced and I kept crying," and added, "I don’t think I can be a good teacher again. I am afraid that any effort I make will come back to me like a boomerang."

Teacher A, who received no help at the time, recorded that when his husband asked, "You work at a company, so why can’t you get help from your company?" he could not say anything.

At the end of his writing, he wrote, "I hope all matters, including the Seoicho incident, will be resolved well and bring hopeful teaching environments back to teachers." About a month and a half after writing this, he passed away on the 7th.

Meanwhile, local residents have been conducting so-called "star rating terrorism" and boycott movements against businesses operated by the parents accused of abuse. Information about two businesses reportedly run by the abusive parents was shared the day before, with comments such as "You get back what you give. I hope you get it back for sure," and "Please explain."