"May the Teacher's Death Not Be in Vain"... Memorial Procession at Seoi Elementary Despite the Monsoon Rain

1st Anniversary Memorial Ceremonies Held Nationwide
Colleagues Lament "Nothing Has Changed"
Wave of Mourning from Parents, Youth, and Students

"I feel frustrated that nothing has changed in the school environment, and I came here because I feel sorry for the late teacher."

On the afternoon of the 16th, visitors continued to pay their respects at the memorial space for the fallen teacher at Seoi Elementary School in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Shim Seong-a]

On the afternoon of the 16th, Song Mo (30), a middle school teacher whom we met at the memorial space next to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education's Health and Safety Promotion Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, said, "I came to the education office on a business trip and stopped by to pay my respects," adding, "Even after the Seo-i Elementary School incident last year, I have seen several cases where fellow teachers were reported for child abuse. I wonder what has really changed in the education sector, but it seems the reality remains the same."

Memorial ceremonies for the first anniversary of the death of the Seo-i Elementary School teacher are being held across the country. Despite heavy monsoon rains, the line of colleagues paying tribute did not cease. Lee Mo (45), an elementary school teacher, said, "The revised Child Abuse Punishment Act's definition of 'legitimate educational activities' is very ambiguous. The standards for 'emotional child abuse' are also unclear, so I feel that nothing has substantially changed from before," adding, "If a teacher tries to block or shout when being hit by a student, there is still a risk of being reported for child abuse, so they have no choice but to endure it."

An education office employee, Mr. A, raised his voice, saying, "I hope the death of the late teacher will not be in vain," and "I wish for a stable establishment of an atmosphere in the education field where parents, teachers, and students respect each other."

On the afternoon of the 16th, a citizen left a note expressing their condolences at the memorial space for the fallen teacher at Seoi Elementary School in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Shim Seong-ah]

The memorial space has a place where visitors can leave messages. After offering flowers and bowing in silence, visitors stopped by here to write their heartfelt tributes to the fallen teacher, letter by letter. Messages such as "We will not forget you, teacher," "May you rest in peace there," and "We will surely create the happy classroom you wished for" were left. Some people gazed quietly at the memorial notes with tears in their eyes.

Tributes from parents, young people, and students continued. Joo Mo (29), who lives in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, said, "Although I am doing different work now, my original dream was to become a teacher, so the Seo-i Elementary School incident saddened me. The position I wanted to pursue is very difficult for someone else, and the hardships faced in teaching can drive a person to death, which weighs heavily on my heart," adding, "I came a long way despite the rain because I want to remember this incident."

Kim Sang-eun (48), a resident of Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, said, "It is touching to see many people showing interest in this incident and leaving their thoughts, even briefly," adding, "I hope such incidents never happen again, and that teachers and parents recognize each other as partners in raising children and foster a respectful atmosphere."

On the afternoon of the 16th, a memorial message was left at the memorial space for the fallen teacher at Seoi Elementary School in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Seongah Shim]

This week, memorial ceremonies honoring the Seo-i Elementary School teacher who died in the line of duty are being held nationwide. On the first anniversary, the 18th, a memorial ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. in the auditorium on the 11th floor of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, jointly hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, six teachers' organizations, and the Teachers' Bereaved Families Association.

Previously, on July 18 last year, a second-year new teacher in charge of a first-grade class at Seo-i Elementary School in Seocho-gu, Seoul, took their own life. It is known that the deceased struggled with parental complaints and managing students with behavioral issues.