Seoul Office of Education Investigates 'Teacher Assault During Class'... Superintendent Says "Devastated"

Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Launches School Investigation... Disciplinary Committee as Early as Next Week
"Teachers' Rights Protection Committee to Convene and Take Action According to Procedures"
Victimized Teacher on Special Leave... "Medical Treatment Required"

Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has launched an investigation into an incident where a third-year high school student assaulted a teacher during class in a classroom in Seoul. Photo by Asia Economy DB

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has launched an investigation into an incident where a third-year high school student assaulted a teacher during class in a high school classroom in Seoul.

The Seoul Office of Education stated that the Emergency Team for Protection of Educational Activities from the Gangseo-Yangcheon Education Support Office, which has jurisdiction over the school, visited the school on the morning of the 11th to conduct an investigation and provide consulting supervision.

The incident occurred around 10 a.m. the previous day at a high school located in Yangcheon-gu. On that day, a third-year male student struck a female teacher’s face with his hand holding a mobile phone during class. It is reported that the student was playing a game on his phone and, after being reprimanded by the teacher, got into an altercation which led to this behavior.

The incident was recorded by classmates and subsequently spread widely online. The school instructed the students who filmed the assault to delete the video. The student was separated from others on the same day, and the teacher left early and is currently on special leave. The special leave can be used for up to five days. It is reported that the teacher currently requires medical treatment.

A representative from the Seoul Office of Education said, "Even if the student returns to school, they will be separated from teachers on campus," and added, "The Regional Committee for the Protection of Teachers’ Rights (Gyobowi) will be convened soon, and disciplinary measures will be taken according to procedures." They also stated, "Due to the seriousness of the matter, the Education Support Office decided to prioritize this case over other Gyobowi agenda items within its jurisdiction."

Upon learning of the incident, Jeong Geun-sik, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, expressed on his Facebook page, "A distressing incident has occurred. I express my deep regret with a heavy heart." He said, "The teacher’s recovery is of utmost importance," and "The Office of Education will prioritize supporting the teacher’s swift recovery."

Superintendent Jeong also wrote, "We will actively support counseling and education for students and staff who directly or indirectly witnessed the incident," and "We will make every possible effort to help the educational community stabilize quickly." He continued, "There is still a long way to go to realize schools where teachers can teach with pride and have their rights firmly guaranteed," and pledged, "We will make more intense efforts to uphold teachers’ rights."