"I Broke My Personal Marathon Record" The Principal's Round-the-Clock Group Chat

Jeonbuk Office of Education Faces Allegations in Administrative Audit
"Even Hanging Congratulatory Banners on School Bulletin Boards"

The principal of an elementary school in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, has come under investigation by the local education office after posting personal marathon record achievements and other unrelated content in the school's group KakaoTalk chatroom (hereafter referred to as the group chat) during holidays and nighttime hours. Concerns have grown as teachers claim they are experiencing stress due to the principal’s messages arriving at all hours.

According to the Jeonbuk Office of Education on the 12th, Mr. A shared his marathon race record in the group chat, which included about 30 staff members, on Sunday, the 8th of last month. A banner reading "Principal’s Half Marathon Personal Best Achievement" was even displayed on the school’s promotional bulletin board in relation to this.

A principal of an elementary school in Gunsan, Jeonbuk shared a screenshot in the school's group KakaoTalk chat room on the 8th of last month, showing that he participated in a marathon race that day and achieved a personal record.
[Photo by Jeonbuk Teachers' Union]

On the 22nd of the same month, Principal A shared news of placing third in another marathon competition by posting photos of the award certificate and prize in the group chat. Around 8:19 p.m., he also posted a photo of himself running on the track. This day was also a Sunday.

Additionally, there have been claims that last month, Principal A played loud music in the principal’s office while practicing vocal music, disturbing teachers who were working late to prepare lessons. This was reportedly to prepare for a concert by a vocal music club affiliated with the Jeonbuk Office of Education, in which he participates.

In response, during an administrative audit by the Jeonbuk Provincial Council’s Education Committee on the 10th, council member Lee Jeong-rin stated, "It seems the teachers have many complaints," and emphasized, "A thorough investigation must be conducted to correct this."

Furthermore, Council Member Lee Jeong-rin raised suspicions that Principal A, who was appointed to the school in September, had previously favored a cafe run by his daughter while working at his former school. It was revealed that from October last year to July this year, Principal A used his official business card 10 times to purchase drinks, bread, cookies, and other items totaling 1.48 million KRW at his daughter’s cafe.

Jeonbuk Teachers’ Union Chairman Jeong Jae-seok, who first raised the allegations against Principal A, stated, "It is an abuse of power and an infringement on the right to rest for an administrator to post personal matters in the group chat outside of work hours," and insisted, "He is unfit to be a principal and should be disciplined."

Principal A Appeals Innocence, "Plans to File Defamation Charges with Police"

Mr. A shared his marathon race record, which he participated in on Sunday, the 8th of last month, in a group chat room that included about 30 faculty members. In relation to this, a banner reading "Principal's Half Marathon Personal Best Achievement" was even hung on the school's bulletin board.
[Photo by Jeonbuk Teachers' Union]

As the controversy grew, Principal A told a domestic media outlet in a phone interview, "I feel wronged," and added, "I plan to file defamation charges with the police against the whistleblowers making false claims."

Regarding the group chat issue, Principal A said, "It was intended for sharing school educational activity information and communication among staff. I acted with good intentions, but when some staff felt uncomfortable, I immediately left the group chat."

He continued, "The banner was put up by fellow teachers and acquaintances congratulating me on achieving a personal best in the marathon. My failure to refuse it was a mistake." He also mentioned, "Marathon running is my hobby, and I coach students in marathon running every morning."

On the vocal music practice, he countered, "I used the evening after work hours and also attended to school duties." Regarding the allegations of supporting his daughter’s cafe, he explained, "I bought snacks from my daughter’s cafe to encourage teachers and students or as gifts for external guests, and distributed them personally. I did not use them for personal purposes."

The Jeonbuk Office of Education has launched an investigation. Han Seong-ha, spokesperson for the Jeonbuk Office of Education, stated, "Since the claims from both sides conflict, we will verify the facts and review any violations of regulations before taking appropriate measures."