Stance on Teacher Rights Violations Declared via Facebook
Full Support Policy for Accused Schools
"December 12 Military Coup Is Not a Matter for Political Conflict"
Jo Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Education for Seoul, stated on Facebook on the 25th, "Recently, a high school principal in Seoul was reported by the Garosero Research Institute and the Free Korea Patriotic Corps for organizing a group viewing of 'Seoul Spring.'" He added, "The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education views this incident as a form of infringement on teachers' educational rights, or so-called 'teacher authority.'" Furthermore, he said, "The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education plans to provide all possible support to the school officials who were reported this time," and "We will respond firmly to this incident and similar cases of infringement on teacher authority."
The film Seoul Spring deals with the December 12 military coup. As of midnight on the 24th, the 33rd day since its release, the integrated box office data showed a cumulative audience of 10,065,533, making it the second '10 million viewer film' of the year. Because it deals with political subject matter, Seoul Spring is being used in a self-serving manner by political circles beyond just the screen.
Superintendent Jo said, "It is a clear infringement on teacher authority to attempt to exclude topics from the curriculum that cannot be subjects of political strife and have already reached social consensus," and "We will use this incident as an opportunity to advance discussion and debate education." He also stated, "If even historical events long established by the judiciary, academia, and political circles are not addressed in schools, that would be an evasion of responsibility by public education."
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