"Teacher Abuses Ju Ho-min's Son"…Testimony from Child Abuse Dedicated Official

Controversy Over Judging After Listening to Only 5 Minutes of a 4-Hour Recording

There was a statement regarding a special education teacher on trial for abusing the son of webtoon artist Ju Homin, describing it as "abuse that spread from an adult conflict to a child."

Photo by Yonhap News

At the 5th hearing on the 18th at Suwon District Court Criminal Division 9, presided over by Judge Kwak Yongheon, special education teacher A was charged with violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (aggravated punishment for child abuse by workers at child welfare facilities) and other charges. B, a child abuse specialist official from Yongin City Hall who had judged this case as child abuse, appeared as a witness.

In response to the prosecution's question, "What was the reason for judging it as emotional child abuse?" B answered, "Based on the Child Welfare Act," adding, "Regardless of the child's disabilities, the teacher's loud tone and coercive atmosphere were the basis for the judgment." B also stated, "All three team leaders who attended the case meeting agreed it was child abuse," explaining, "A's discipline was not educational but revealed an adult conflict to the child."

Previously, in September last year, a recorder placed in Ju's son's bag when he went to school captured A saying during class, "You are really detestable. What is in your head?" and "Your behavior is very bad. Ugh, I hate it. I hate it to death."

In response, A's lawyer argued that B's judgment was unfounded because B did not listen to the entire 4-hour recording of the situation and did not separately investigate A. The lawyer also pointed out that none of the three team leaders who attended the case meeting and concluded it was child abuse listened to the entire transcript.

Furthermore, the lawyer defended A by stating, "The basis for the judgment was that A's remarks affected the child's mental development, but no negative changes in the child after A's remarks were confirmed." Doubts were also raised about the child intelligence test report submitted by the prosecution, as it was unclear which professional institution conducted it, what methods were used, and whether the child's disability influenced the investigation.

In response, the court said, "If cross-examination is necessary, please have the prosecution review it." The next trial is scheduled for January 15.

Earlier, in September last year, A was sent to trial on charges of emotional abuse for making remarks such as "Your behavior is very bad, I'm talking about you," and "I hate you to death. I hate you too, really hate you" to Ju's son, who has developmental disabilities.

Subsequently, criticism arose questioning whether Ju's side's child abuse report was an excessive action. In particular, public outrage grew when it was revealed that Ju had his son wear a recorder to school.

As the controversy grew, Ju explained in a statement, "When we tried to separate the child from the teacher suspected of abuse, we had only one option."