SBS States "Will Announce Position Soon"
Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Requests Investigation of 3 Parents for Obstructing Work
A parent, who was reported to have received 4 million won from the late teacher Lee Young-seung, who made an extreme choice after suffering from malicious complaints by parents, has denied "demanding treatment fees from the deceased."
On the 9th, messages left by mourners along with flowers are posted at an elementary school in Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do. [Photo by Yonhap News]
According to an SBS report on the 23rd, Mr. A, identified as the offending parent who troubled the teacher, stated, "I will organize and release my position soon," expressing this denial.
Teacher Lee was first appointed in 2016 and was in charge of a 6th-grade class. During class, a student cut a PET bottle and accidentally cut their hand with a cutter knife. The student's parent, Mr. A, filed a complaint against the teacher.
Although Mr. A received treatment fees twice from the School Safety Mutual Aid Association, he continuously contacted the teacher, who had taken a leave of absence and enlisted in the military, demanding compensation and holding the teacher responsible. In this process, the school shifted the responsibility onto the teacher. Mr. A's complaints continued until December 31, 2019, just before the student entered high school. Mr. A reportedly contacted the teacher again, claiming a "second surgery was planned," and demanded compensation.
Teacher Lee Young-seung, who had to handle parents' complaints alone, left a note saying, "I don't think this job suits me. Every day was difficult," and ultimately ended his life. He was 25 years old at the time. [Photo by Yonhap News]
It was investigated that the teacher personally paid the parent a total of 4 million won in eight installments of 500,000 won each month under the pretext of "treatment fees."
Mr. A's personal information, including his face, name, and workplace, was shared on social networking services (SNS) after the teacher's death. A flood of critical comments appeared on the website of a local Nonghyup branch where he works as a deputy branch manager. At the entrance of the Nonghyup branch, condolence wreaths with messages such as "Murderer who extorted money from the teacher and caused death" and "I am going to change my main bank, which I have dealt with for 30 years" were placed. A large poster saying "Daughter of a villain, drop out" was also posted at the entrance of the school attended by Mr. A's child.
On the 19th, Nonghyup issued an indefinite suspension order to Mr. A according to internal regulations. They then posted an apology on their website, stating, "We pray for the repose of the deceased teacher and offer our deepest condolences to the bereaved family." They added, "We humbly accept the disappointment and anger directed at us and will strictly handle this matter according to procedures."
Meanwhile, on the 21st, the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education reported that Teacher Lee had suffered interference in educational activities from two other parents besides Mr. A, and requested an investigation by the Uijeongbu Police Station into three parents, including Mr. A, on charges of obstruction of business.
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