"If the Teacher Is Nice, There Are No Complaints" Gyeongnam Office of Education Requests Investigation into School Principal's Abuse of Power Controversy

November 14, Suspension of the Principal from the Position

The Gyeongnam Office of Education announced on the 17th that it has requested an investigation into a school principal recently embroiled in controversy over allegations of power abuse and demeaning remarks toward staff members.

According to the provincial Office of Education, on the 31st of last month, a female elementary school teacher from Yangsan, Gyeongnam, posted on an exclusive online community for elementary school teachers that she had been bullied by the principal.

Gyeongnam Office of Education.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

Teacher A wrote that the principal said, "Our school is similar to Seoi Elementary School and may even be worse," and, "To reduce complaints, you need to manage your appearance by even going into debt to buy clothes, wear makeup, and get eyebrow tattoos."

She added, "These days, students observe teachers from head to toe. If a teacher is pretty, there are no complaints."

She also wrote that the principal, in front of students, wrote both her career and Teacher A’s career on the blackboard and said, "Teacher A’s career is short, so you all suffer," and asked, "Who is prettier, the homeroom teacher or the principal?"

When a student she was teaching was bullying others by slapping friends and a parent requested a meeting, the principal reportedly said at a staff meeting, "New teachers lack experience and often receive complaints from parents."

Teacher A said, "One day, I suddenly found myself writing a suicide note on the computer screen. I felt sad and heartbroken thinking about how I ended up like this," adding, "I have endured the past two months, but when I look at the prescribed medicine bottles, sorrow overwhelms me."

The post has since been deleted.

The provincial Office of Education confirmed the post and began fact-finding through on-site investigations and audits at the school.

On the 14th, the principal was suspended from their position.

The Office of Education explained that it requested an investigation into the principal’s misconduct, including suspicions that the victim teacher was made to write about the abuse in students’ diaries and letters, and allegations that the principal emotionally abused the students.

A representative from the Office of Education’s audit department stated, "Apart from this investigation request, the Gyeongnam Office of Education’s internal audit will continue," adding, "The superintendent’s determination to eliminate power abuse is firm, so the Gyeongnam Office of Education will continue thorough audits until the culture of workplace bullying and power abuse in the public sector is eradicated."