High School Student Assaults Teacher During Class... School Principal Says "Strict Action Will Be Taken Following Procedures"

Efforts for Prevention and Stabilization of School Education
Concerns Over Secondary Harm from Videos and Photos... Request for Deletion

The principal of the school where a teacher assault incident occurred during class announced on the 14th that they will strive to stabilize school education and prevent recurrence.

According to an appeal letter from the principal of A High School in Seoul, released by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on the same day, the school has held a 'Local Teacher Rights Protection Committee' following the incident and is handling the matter according to procedures. The principal stated, "I have requested that the committee handle the matter swiftly and strictly according to procedures," and added, "We will do everything possible in education and support to prevent recurrence."

The school is prioritizing support for the injured teacher’s hospital treatment and recovery, while focusing on stabilizing school education through counseling for students and teachers who are anxious due to the teacher assault incident.

However, videos and photos released through the media contain scenes of the assault, raising concerns about secondary infringements on teacher rights. The principal said, "The injured teacher and their family are experiencing great shock and pain after seeing the published photos and videos," and added, "There is serious human rights infringement due to identity exposure, and the psychological shock and pain of not only the injured teacher but also the students and teachers who are members of the school community are intensifying, which is very concerning." The principal also requested, "Please replace the photos and delete the videos."

Earlier, on the 10th, an incident occurred in a classroom at a high school in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, where a third-year student assaulted a teacher. The student, who was playing a mobile phone game during class and was reprimanded by the teacher, reacted violently. Teacher organizations collectively expressed regret over the incident.

The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (Jeon-gyo-jo) stated, "Ineffective teacher rights protection measures provide no safety net for teachers in schools," and demanded, "The government authorities must take responsible actions and prepare measures to prevent recurrence of repeated teacher rights violations."

The Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations (Gyotong) also said, "It is heartbreaking to see once again the current state of collapsed teacher authority and broken classrooms," and urged, "The education authorities must provide full support for the protection and recovery of the injured teacher and conduct thorough investigations and deliberations to strictly punish the offending student."