During the audit of the abusive principal, a 'condolence wreath' was sent to Gyeongnam Office of Education?what happened?

As the Gyeongnam Office of Education conducts an audit regarding the abuse of power by a principal at an elementary school in the Yangsan area, condolence wreaths have been steadily placed in front of the provincial education office's main gate on the 20th.

From the morning, the condolence wreaths set up in front of the main gate bore messages demanding punishment for the abusive principal, such as "Strict punishment for the abusive principal," "Protect teachers first," and "Wake up, Gyeongnam Office of Education."

A row of condolence wreaths is lined up near the main gate of the Gyeongnam Office of Education.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

According to the Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), these condolence wreaths were sent collectively or individually by elementary school teachers nationwide.

As the condolence wreaths lined up in front of the main gate, the provincial education office showed some reluctance.

An official from the provincial education office said, "Although it is meant as a form of protest, the wreaths prominently display phrases wishing for the deceased's repose, and they affect vehicle traffic entering and leaving the education office and may pose safety issues for pedestrians, so it is difficult to just leave them as they are."

He added, "If prior consultation had taken place, we would have found a place to put the condolence wreaths or come up with other measures."

List of posts on the 'Messages to the Superintendent' board on the Gyeongnam Office of Education website. [Screen source=Gyeongnam Office of Education website]

Following the protest condolence wreaths on that day, over 800 related opinions were posted on the "Requests to the Superintendent" bulletin board on the provincial education office's website.

The Gyeongnam branch of the KTU held a press conference at the provincial education office briefing room and began a one-person protest led by the branch chief.

The Gyeongnam branch urged, "The provincial education office should withdraw the request for investigation against the abused teacher and launch a full-scale reinvestigation."

They demanded, "Reinvestigate the case focusing on the victimized teacher and strictly punish the abusive principal based on the results," and requested, "We want the superintendent to respond directly by the 21st."

Noh Kyung-seok, head of the Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, is holding a solo protest at the entrance of the Gyeongnam Office of Education main building.
[Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]

According to the provincial education office and the Gyeongnam branch of the KTU, on the 31st of last month, a post was made on an online activity board exclusively for elementary school teachers by a new teacher, Mr. A, stating that he was subjected to dehumanizing remarks and harassment by the principal.

Teacher A wrote that the principal said, "To reduce complaints, you should even go into debt to buy clothes, wear makeup, and get eyebrow tattoos to manage your appearance," and "Kids these days look at teachers from head to toe. If the teacher is pretty, there are no complaints."

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

Upon confirming the post, the provincial education office began fact-finding through on-site school investigations and audits, and on the 14th, the principal was suspended from his position.

They also found evidence that Teacher A had students write about the abuse in their diaries and letters, and requested an investigation on claims that the principal emotionally abused the students.

The provincial education office is conducting a full survey of all staff and has confirmed additional claims of abuse, currently analyzing the situation. The investigation is ongoing based on materials submitted by the victimized teacher, witness statements, and supporting evidence.

The provincial education office auditor stated, "We are conducting a fair and objective investigation according to regulations and procedures," and added, "Through a fair and strict audit, we will clearly reveal the facts of the abuse and establish a foundation where all members of the education community can work with conviction and pride."