Gwangju High School Administrative Director Faces Controversy Over Verbal Abuse and Harsh Language Toward Teacher

KTU Demands Thorough Investigation into Infringement of Teachers' Rights
Gwangju Office of Education: "Currently Assessing the Situation"

It has been alleged that the administrative director of a private high school in Gwangju has committed serious abuse of power and verbal abuse against teachers and others over several years.

The administrative director in question was previously investigated by the Gwangju Office of Education in 2020 after claims emerged that he forced students caught smoking to smoke five or six cigarettes at once and assaulted them even when the vice principal tried to stop him.

Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education building.

According to the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) and others on the 12th, the administrative director, identified as A, at K High School, summoned a teacher to the principal's office last November, started a conversation about academic affairs, and then verbally abused and threatened disciplinary action for 30 minutes.

It is reported that the teacher subsequently suffered from severe panic disorder, was hospitalized for more than two weeks for psychiatric treatment, and has found it difficult to return to normal life.

Another teacher told the KTU that after years of verbal abuse and harassment from the administrative director, they even contemplated taking extreme measures.

In response, the KTU stated, "The administrative director A, based on the privilege of being related to the foundation's chairman, has continuously exercised undue interference and orders in academic affairs beyond his authority," and added, "This is not just a personal conflict but a serious human rights violation that fundamentally undermines the safety and dignity of teachers, which are core values in the educational field."

A KTU representative told this newspaper, "Although we cannot disclose specifics immediately, there are countless cases of power abuse, verbal abuse, and infringement of teachers' rights by administrative director A," and explained, "On the 11th, we sent an official letter to the city education office requesting a meeting regarding this matter." The representative added, "We urge the city education office to thoroughly investigate the facts, conduct an audit, implement protection measures for affected teachers, and strictly punish those responsible."

Regarding this, a Gwangju Office of Education official stated, "We received the relevant report yesterday. We plan to take action after accurately assessing the situation."

Meanwhile, the Gwangju Office of Education launched an investigation in 2020 after receiving reports that administrative director A at K High School had assaulted and verbally abused students who were caught smoking.

Administrative director A reportedly forced some students to put five to six cigarettes in their mouths and smoke them, and some students suffered bruises on their bodies as a result of his corporal punishment. Additionally, an audio recording obtained by the city education office captured the vice principal saying, "You can't hit them," while the administrative director continued the assault.

Regarding these allegations, administrative director A stated, "I do not recall the specifics of the assault, verbal abuse, or forcing students to smoke," and claimed, "It was done as a form of discipline."