Gyeongnam Office of Education Announces First Parent Prosecution for Teacher Rights Violation

Necessity of Compulsory Measures for Non-Compliance with Written Apology Also Presented

The Gyeongnam Office of Education has decided to take strong action to report teachers from repeated infringements of teachers' rights by parents.

On the 28th, the provincial Office of Education held a press conference at the main office press room and announced that it would implement the superintendent's complaint system against parent A for the first time regarding infringement of teachers' rights.

Gyeongnam Office of Education. Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

According to the provincial Office of Education, parent A, a high school parent from Yangsan who is active as a YouTuber, posted false information about the principal and the school on a YouTube channel operated by Shin from March to June.

The 11 related videos posted by the parent contained claims such as the principal interfering in the election process of the school operation committee and not arriving at work even after 11 a.m.

The school side reportedly refuted these claims as untrue.

The principal reported parent A to the local Teachers' Rights Protection Committee for infringing on educational activities.

In May, the local Teachers' Rights Protection Committee recognized that A had infringed on educational activities and issued the first disciplinary action requiring A to submit a written apology and a pledge to prevent recurrence.

However, despite the local education support office sending four certified letters containing requests for a written apology and understanding, and the provincial Office of Education's supervising officer personally meeting to demand compliance with the first disciplinary action, A has not responded to date.

Instead, A reportedly insists that "the principal should apologize" and has not taken down the related videos.

Accordingly, the provincial Office of Education plans to file a complaint with the police against A under the name of Superintendent Park Jong-hoon for defamation and other charges.

If the complaint against A is filed, it will be the first nationwide case since the introduction of the superintendent's complaint system in 2019.

Jeon Chang-hyun, Director of Educational Activity Protection at the Gyeongnam Office of Education, is announcing the superintendent's first report against parents who violate teachers' rights. Photo by Lee Se-ryeong

Jeon Chang-hyun, the officer in charge of educational activity protection, said, "The decision of the Teachers' Rights Protection Committee is an official procedure with legal and institutional legitimacy," adding, "Failure to comply with this disrupts the order of the educational field and seriously infringes on students' right to learn."

He added, "This is not aimed at targeting or punishing a specific individual but is an essential measure to restore trust in teachers' rights and the educational community," and "Through this complaint action, we hope residents and parents will cooperate to uphold teachers' rights and ensure that students can learn in a stable and healthy educational environment."

He also emphasized, "Under the current Teacher Status Act, there is no compulsory measure that can be taken if the first disciplinary action of a written apology for infringement of teachers' rights is not fulfilled," and "Our Office of Education will actively promote legislative amendments to strengthen the effectiveness of teachers' rights protection measures."

He stated, "Even if we have to file a complaint against a parent, we will do our best to protect and support their child so that their school life and learning are not affected."