[Seoicho 1st Anniversary] "We Will Not Forget the Teacher's Pain"... Seoicho Teachers' Joint Memorial Ceremony

Joint Memorial Ceremony Held by Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and Teachers' Organizations
Teachers, Education University Students, and Citizens Visit Memorial Altar
"We Will Walk Together" - Over 200 from Education and Political Circles
Bereaved Family Representative: "Families Still Facing Difficult Days"

On the afternoon of the 18th, marking the first anniversary of the death of a teacher from Seoi Elementary School, hundreds of people including politicians, teachers, and civic groups gathered at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education for a joint memorial ceremony to remember the deceased. They pledged in unison, "We will not forget," and promised to strive to bring change to the school environment.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Throughout the afternoon, citizens continued to visit the incense altar set up in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. On the walls of the altar were written pledges and messages of condolence such as "I will live without shame as a fellow teacher" and "I will engrave the teacher’s pain so that it is not in vain and not forgotten."

Kim (31, anonymous), a public kindergarten teacher who visited the altar, said, "I experienced something similar to the deceased and have been on leave for about a year." She added, "I came to the altar hoping that the death of the teacher would not be forgotten and that even one more person would participate."

Lee So-young (20), a student currently enrolled at a teachers’ college, said, "Last year, while preparing for university entrance exams, the Seoi Elementary School incident happened, which caused confusion and many worries about going to college." She continued, "I entered college with that confusion, but after talking with my peers, I felt that if we are together, we can now do something more." She added, "If many people raise their voices together like this, maybe someday things will change."

The National Federation of Education University Students held a press conference in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education that day and announced the results of a survey conducted over a week starting from the 7th among 1,200 prospective teachers. They stated, "64.5% of education university students feel that although the 'Five Laws for the Protection of Teachers’ Rights' have passed, the field has not changed," and urged, "The education field must change so that education university students can become teachers and work safely after becoming teachers."

The incense offering altar set up in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
Photo by Park Joon-yi

At 4 p.m. that day, about 200 attendees gathered at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education auditorium for the joint memorial ceremony hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and six teachers’ organizations. Attendees included Seoul Metropolitan Superintendent of Education Cho Hee-yeon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho, over 20 members of the National Assembly from both ruling and opposition parties, members of the Seoul Metropolitan Council from both parties, six teachers’ organizations (Teachers’ Labor Union Federation, New School Network Practical Education Teachers’ Group, National Teachers’ Union, Good Teachers Movement, Korea Federation of Teachers’ Associations), and representatives from four educational civic groups (Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Student Participation Committee, Seoul Innovation Education Parents Network, National Parents’ Association for True Education Seoul Branch, National Parents’ Association for Realizing Equal Education Seoul Branch).

In his memorial address, Superintendent Cho said, "Today marks the first anniversary of the teacher," and "I sincerely pray for the repose of the deceased’s soul." He added, "I deeply reflect on the foolishness of only realizing the preciousness of the beloved teacher after parting with them, starting with myself as the superintendent," and promised, "I will hold the hands of the teachers who protect the classroom even tighter."

Deputy Prime Minister Lee also expressed, "I sincerely offer my condolences to the bereaved family who are still grieving at this moment and to the fellow teachers who miss the empty seat of the deceased," and promised, "The Ministry of Education will walk together so that teachers do not face difficulties alone."

Seoul Metropolitan Council Chairperson Choi Ho-jung said, "We are sad now, but this is just the beginning," and "Although change is slow, the council will strive to ensure that the education field moves in the right direction. We will create an educational environment where students, guardians, and the teacher education community can cooperate."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Politicians attending the memorial ceremony also expressed their condolences to the deceased. Baek Seung-ah, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and former elementary school teacher, said, "Last year, 300,000 teachers in one year and a cumulative 800,000 teachers took to the streets and shouted passionately," and pledged, "We will do our utmost for four years to pass the Seoi Elementary School Special Act and supplement it with additional legislation." Jeong Seong-guk, a member of the People Power Party and former president of the Korea Teachers’ Federation, emphasized, "We will not give up or forget so that the earnest wish given to us as a star does not fade." Kang Kyung-sook of the Justice Innovation Party also vowed, "We will never let the teacher’s death in the line of duty be in vain."

Park Du-yong, representative of the bereaved families’ association, said, "Many bereaved families are still going through difficult days," and requested, "We would appreciate it if suicide prevention and thorough support for bereaved families could also consider their feelings." He added, "Other public officials have systems in place to treat bereaved families and help them return to society," and emphasized, "Please help bereaved families reintegrate into society."

On this day, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, six teachers’ organizations, and four parents’ groups issued a joint declaration. Through the declaration, they promised that ▲ students will actively participate in school educational activities as subjects of learning and strive for autonomous and responsible school life as democratic citizens in uniform ▲ parents will cooperate to restore an educational community where all members of the school are respected and work to ensure that children and youth grow happily as democratic citizens ▲ teachers will work to enhance educational expertise and actively strive to create an educational community based on mutual respect and growth.