'Elementary Female Teacher Accused of Sexual Crime Against Male Student, Detained and Facing Severe Disciplinary Action from Education Authorities'

"The exact details of the disciplinary action are private information and will be individually notified"
Daejeon Superintendent to Announce Measures to Prevent Recurrence on the 15th

A female elementary school teacher in Daejeon, who was arrested and indicted on charges of sexually assaulting a male student, has received a severe disciplinary action from the education authorities.

The Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education held a disciplinary committee meeting on the 31st of last month regarding teacher A, who was arrested and indicted on charges of statutory rape of a minor, and decided to impose a severe disciplinary action, Yonhap News reported on the 13th.

According to the regulations on disciplinary measures for educational officials, sexual crimes committed by teachers against minors are subject to the highest level of disciplinary action (dismissal or removal) regardless of the degree of misconduct. Therefore, it is known that the disciplinary result for teacher A is either dismissal or removal.

Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education building. Provided by Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education, Yonhap News Agency

Earlier, the Daejeon Police Agency sent teacher A to prosecution under arrest on the 9th of last month on charges of statutory rape of a minor. Upon receiving notification of the investigation from the police, the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education immediately suspended teacher A from her position. The crime of statutory rape of a minor is established when the offender has sexual intercourse knowing that the other party is under 13 years old or between 13 and under 16 years old. Even if the victim consents, it is still considered a crime.

An official from the Metropolitan Office of Education explained to Yonhap News, "We confirmed the prosecution's investigation report and judged that it was subject to severe disciplinary action, so we held a disciplinary committee at the metropolitan office level. Appropriate measures were taken, but the exact details of the disciplinary action are private information and will be individually notified only to the teacher." It is known that the victim student continues to attend school, and the school stated that it is cooperating with the Sunflower Center to provide professional psychological counseling and support to help the victim student achieve psychological stability.

Regarding this case, Seol Dong-ho, Superintendent of Education in Daejeon, expressed "deep regret" on the 20th of last month and apologized, saying, "I sincerely offer my condolences to the victim student and their family." Superintendent Seol plans to announce measures to prevent recurrence, including reviewing teacher service regulations related to this case and strengthening sexual violence prevention education for teachers, at a New Year's press conference on the 15th.

Meanwhile, the first trial for teacher A is scheduled to be held at the Daejeon District Court on the 23rd. However, since there is still time before the trial date, there is a possibility that the date may be changed. It has been reported that teacher A submitted ten letters of apology to the court.