Number of School Violence Cases in Middle Schools 2.4 Times Higher Than in High Schools

Last Year, 17,883 School Violence Deliberation Cases in Middle Schools
14,004 Cases in 2023... A 27.3% Increase

Last year, the number of school violence deliberation cases in middle schools nationwide was found to be 2.4 times higher than that in high schools.

Jongno Academy announced on the 11th the results of its analysis of school violence deliberation cases at 3,295 middle schools nationwide, as disclosed on 'School Info' on April 30. The number of school violence deliberation cases in middle schools last year was 17,833, an increase of 27.3% (3,829 cases) compared to 2023 (14,004 cases). This figure is 2.4 times higher than that of high schools (7,446 cases).

Among the types of school violence, physical violence accounted for the largest proportion at 30.9%. This was followed by verbal abuse at 29.3%, cyberbullying at 11.6%, sexual violence at 9.2%, extortion at 5.9%, coercion at 5.1%, and ostracism at 3.9%. Compared to the previous year, the increase in ostracism (52.4%) and cyberbullying (46.2%) was particularly notable. Extortion (32.3%), coercion (30.7%), verbal abuse (29.9%), and sexual violence (28.4%) also rose by around 30%.

The number of disciplinary actions against perpetrators was 36,069, which is 2.8 times higher than in high schools (12,975 cases). Among the actual disciplinary measures, "Type 1: Written Apology" accounted for the largest share at 20.1%. "Type 7: Class Transfer" and "Type 8: School Transfer," which are considered severe disciplinary actions, accounted for 1.5% and 2.5%, respectively. However, compared to the previous year, class transfers increased by 37.8%, and school transfers rose by 88.0%, from 474 cases in 2023 to 891 cases last year.

The number of school violence deliberation cases in middle schools increased in all 17 metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide compared to 2023. The rate of increase in middle school school violence deliberation cases last year compared to the previous year was highest in Gyeongnam at 40.0%, followed by Daejeon at 38.6%, Gyeonggi at 35.9%, Chungnam at 35.0%, Gyeongbuk at 33.5%, and Incheon at 30.4%. In Seoul, the increase was 14.5%.

Unlike college admissions, school violence disciplinary actions only disadvantage applicants when applying to six gifted high schools, including Seoul Science High School, Gyeonggi Science High School, and Sejong Academy of Science and Arts. For other special-purpose and autonomous private high schools, such as science high schools, foreign language high schools, international high schools, and autonomous private high schools, there are no specific criteria for reflecting middle school school violence disciplinary actions in admissions. In contrast, the results of school violence disciplinary actions in high schools will be strictly reflected in both early and regular admissions at major universities next year. In college admissions, disciplinary results may restrict eligibility to apply or result in point deductions in quantitative evaluations.

Lim Seongho, CEO of Jongno Academy, advised, "While school violence in middle school does not currently have a direct impact on college admissions, it is important to take note of the increasing number of deliberation cases when planning one's academic path."