"Obstruction of Official Duties, Threats, False Accusations"... Ulsan Superintendent Files First Criminal Complaint Against Parent for Infringing on Teachers' Rights

The Office of Education Responds Directly, Not Individual Teachers
"We Will Protect Teachers' Legitimate Educational Activities"

Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education filed a complaint on the 8th under the name of Superintendent Cheon Changsoo against a parent who "seriously infringed on the legitimate educational activities of teachers" for charges including "obstruction of official duties by deception, threats, and false accusations." Ulsan Office of Education

The Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education has, for the first time, reported a parent to the police for infringing on teachers' rights. The parent repeatedly filed unjust complaints and engaged in threatening behavior toward the homeroom teacher, leading to charges of obstruction of official duties by deception, threats, and false accusations.

According to the Ulsan Office of Education on September 8, the parent continued to make unjust complaints after their child entered elementary school, persistently calling and texting the homeroom teacher even during class hours. In June, the Regional Committee for the Protection of Teachers' Rights determined this to be "repeated unjust interference with legitimate educational activities," but the parent's threats did not stop. The parent then sent a certified letter to the homeroom teacher, warning of a child abuse report and legal action. As a result, the teacher and staff suffered severe psychological distress, and the students' learning environment was negatively affected.

On September 5, Superintendent Cheon Changsoo visited the school, listened to the opinions of those involved, and personally ordered the complaint to be filed. Going forward, the Ulsan Office of Education plans to directly file complaints, rather than leaving it to individual teachers, whenever infringements on teachers' rights constitute criminal offenses. Superintendent Cheon stated, "We will respond swiftly and firmly to malicious and persistent infringements on educational activities to protect teachers' legitimate work and create a stable educational environment."

The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education also filed a complaint on September 1 against a parent who verbally abused and threatened a homeroom teacher, charging the parent with confinement and defamation. In July, the parent visited the school over an early dismissal issue, shouted at, and threatened the homeroom teacher. The teacher took medical leave due to anxiety following the incident, but reportedly faced further verbal abuse after returning to work. The provincial office judged that "the teacher may have experienced psychological pressure due to the verbal abuse and ridicule from a physically imposing male parent." The parent in question has been suspended from their position at Hwaseong City Hall.