Yeongam A High School Principal Says "I Am the Victim of Sexual Harassment"... Fully Refutes Administrative Manager's Claims

"Only Once Did I Use Harsh Language, Paid Fines for Business Trip Expenses... Claims of Spreading False Information"
Administrative Office Manager Sued, Considering Additional Defamation Lawsuit

The principal of high school A in Yeongam, Jeonnam, who was accused of spreading false information about verbal abuse and sexual harassment by the administrative manager, issued a full rebuttal on December 27, stating, "In fact, I am the victim of sexual harassment."

In a phone interview with The Asia Business Daily on this day, the principal of school A said, "Administrative manager B sexually harassed me twice, in April and May of this year," adding, "On December 22, I filed a police complaint against B for sexual harassment, and the victim investigation has already been completed."

The principal claimed, "The first incident of sexual harassment occurred on April 25, after a farewell party for administrative staff at a raw fish restaurant on Nohwado, Wando. During the move to a coffee shop and inside the shop, B attempted physical contact, and despite my clear refusal, B repeatedly hugged me, constituting forced molestation."

The principal continued, "The second incident occurred on May 16 of the same year, after a dinner gathering at a restaurant in Naju. While I was talking with a teacher at the entrance, B suddenly approached, hugged me, and made inappropriate remarks," adding, "Other staff members also witnessed the incident."

The principal emphasized, "Due to repeated sexual harassment, I felt sexual humiliation and disgrace. At first, I was embarrassed and worried about disrupting organizational stability, so I did not raise the issue and only issued a warning."

Regarding the allegations of verbal abuse such as 'unauthorized business trip' and 'unauthorized overtime' raised by B, the principal admitted, "It was not habitual, but happened only once." The principal explained, "When taking a business trip, it must be reported to the principal. However, when I was absent, B did not follow the official procedure and obtained approval from the vice principal. Since this violated the guidelines, I got angry and made that remark once."

The principal further argued, "Rather, B was the one who first said, 'I don't want to come to school because I don't want to see the principal.' That constitutes verbal abuse and picking a quarrel with a superior."

Regarding the allegation of fraudulent business trip expenses, the principal explained, "Specialized high schools tend to have more business trips. Taking 100 trips as a specialized high school principal is not excessive. The audit by the Provincial Office of Education found the business trip expenses to be 369,000 won, and including fines, I paid about 2 million won."

On the allegation of 'card cashing' related to new student recruitment, the principal refuted, "I was not the one who prepaid 800,000 won; it was another staff member. That staff member was cautioned for the prepayment, but B is claiming as if I did it."

Regarding the cash envelope incident related to an educational project, the principal explained, "At the time, the 300,000 won given by the contractor was received by the vice principal, who immediately returned it and reported it to the audit office, then notified the police. I accompanied the report as well. I had nothing to do with it, but B is claiming as if I was involved, which is extremely insulting."

Regarding the advance payment for bread, the principal stated, "I counsel one or two students a day, and providing drinks and bread is necessary for effective counseling. The prepayment was made for that purpose."

The principal concluded, "B's claims are personal opinions. Depending on future developments, I am also considering filing additional complaints for defamation and spreading false information."

Meanwhile, the audit office of the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education began an investigation at the end of September after receiving a public complaint and a report to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. The office stated, "We requested appropriate personnel action in accordance with the manual and the gravity of the matter."