Controversy Over Pledge at Late Kim Ha-neul's Elementary School Stating "Cannot Take Responsibility During Self-Directed Going Home"

Consent Pledge Required for Families Applying to the 'Selective Program'
Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education: "Some Phrases Appeared to Be Strongly Modified"

Last month, the elementary school attended by Kim Ha-neul, who was killed by a teacher, sent a notice to parents as the new semester began, containing a pledge stating that the school will not be held responsible for students' autonomous return home, sparking controversy.

On the 4th, children are leaving Wonmyeong Elementary School in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The photo is not directly related to the content of the article. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education on the 8th, A Elementary School in Daejeon recently sent a '2025 Academic Year Selective Education Program Autonomous Return Home and Emergency Treatment Consent Form' to each household. The consent form included a statement pledging that "the school will not be held responsible for any personal safety issues or other problems occurring when students participating in the selective education program return home." It further emphasized, "All safety accidents occurring after the return home time are the responsibility of the parents, and no objections will be raised against the school." The school planned to collect the consent forms signed by parents wishing their children to participate in the classes by the 14th.

Although the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 4th that it would strengthen the principle of face-to-face handover and accompaniment for student protection, the school in question has been criticized for shifting responsibility onto the parents. One parent told Yonhap News, "Until last year, we received consent forms for autonomous return home only from parents of lower-grade students attending after-school care classes, but we have never made parents of students participating in selective programs sign such a pledge." Another parent criticized, "Even though the school and the education office should be taking steps to ensure safety, less than a month after a horrific incident occurred on campus, they are shifting all responsibility onto the parents."

A recent newsletter sent to parents by the elementary school attended by the late Kim Ha-neul. Yonhap News

A representative from the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education explained, "The parental consent form regarding the safety of students returning home participating in the program is a common matter, and there are guidelines from the Ministry of Education and the city education office regarding the issuance of such notices." They added, "It seems the school recently modified the wording, which is used as a guideline, somewhat strongly due to growing safety concerns."

Previously, on the 10th of last month, Kim, who had stayed in the after-school care room after regular classes ended, was killed by teacher A as she was about to leave for an academy. The police confirmed that teacher A, who injured himself after killing Kim and was hospitalized, had recovered and executed an arrest warrant. The police are reportedly focusing on identifying the specific motive behind the crime.