Teacher Who Walked 10,000 Steps Daily for Work Dies... Teachers' Groups Call It a "Public Education System Tragedy"

Chungnam Federation of Teachers' Associations: "Immediately Recognize Occupational Accident and Death in the Line of Duty"
"Fundamental Reform of the Public Education System Needed"

Following the incident in which Mr. A (41), a teacher at a middle school in Asan, Chungnam, was found collapsed at home and later died after being transported to the hospital, there is growing public concern regarding the issue of teacher overwork.

A teacher, Mr. A (41), at a middle school in Asan, Chungnam, was found collapsed at his home and was transported to the hospital but passed away. Photo for article understanding purposes and unrelated to the article content. Photo by Asia Economy DB

Since last year, Mr. A had been solely responsible for managing audiovisual and broadcasting equipment. To maintain aging equipment, he reportedly walked more than 10,000 steps per day within the school. In particular, he was required to personally inspect more than 60 classrooms.

The situation worsened this year. In June, he was assigned as a temporary homeroom teacher for a class that had experienced a teacher authority infringement issue. In August, to fill a vacancy in the information department, he also took on responsibilities related to the Educational Administration Information System. As a result, Mr. A suffered from insomnia and psychological stress, and it was confirmed that he had scheduled a psychiatric appointment after the Chuseok holiday.

The bereaved family mentioned that Mr. A had Meniere's disease and that his symptoms had recurred earlier this year. It was also reported that concerns about excessive workload had been repeatedly raised among fellow teachers.

In response, the Chungnam Federation of Teachers' Associations issued a statement on October 7, urging the education office and the government to take responsible action. They stated, "We offer our deepest condolences to the teacher who ultimately lost his life after enduring excessive work and stress, and extend heartfelt sympathy and comfort to the bereaved family." They further pointed out, "This is not a personal tragedy, but a foretold disaster of the national public education system, which imposes limitless responsibility on teachers without providing even minimal safeguards."

Kang Juho, president of the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations, and Seo Youngsam, president of the Jeju Teachers' Association, among others, held a press conference on the afternoon of May 27 at the Jeju Provincial Office of Education regarding the incident in which a teacher at a middle school in Jeju passed away, shouting slogans such as "Completely review the school complaint response system." May 27, 2025, Yonhap News Agency.

The statement continued, "Although legislation to protect teacher authority is gradually being enacted, it remains vastly inadequate, and teachers are still being driven to the brink due to overwhelming workloads and stress caused by infringements on their authority." They strongly demanded, "The Superintendent of Education in Chungnam must present responsible measures and personally promise plans to prevent recurrence." They also emphasized, "Based on police and fact-finding investigations, please ensure that this is recognized as an official occupational accident and that his death in the line of duty is immediately acknowledged."

The Teachers' Union Federation also issued a statement, saying, "It has been consistently reported that there were ongoing concerns within the school about Mr. A's workload and accumulated fatigue," and criticized, "It is deplorable that teachers in Korea, who should be dedicated to educational activities, are being driven to death by overwork and stress from administrative duties."

The National Secondary Teachers' Union stressed, "The reality in which teachers are suffering under the weight of non-teaching work must no longer be neglected." The Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations also stated, "How long must we continue to lose colleagues, seniors, and juniors?" and called on the government and the Chungnam Office of Education to "recognize this as an occupational accident and ensure that his death in the line of duty is immediately acknowledged based on police and fact-finding investigations."

Currently, the bereaved family and the teachers' union have requested a meeting with Kim Jicheol, the Superintendent of Education in Chungnam, and plan to discuss future countermeasures and support for recognition of death in the line of duty.