"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 A High School in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, who has been accused of verbal abuse and spreading false rumors about sexual harassment by the administrative office 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 that day, the principal claimed, "Mr. B, the administrative office manager, sexually harassed me on two separate occasions in April and May," and added, "On December 2, I filed a police report against Mr. B for sexual harassment, and the victim investigation has already been completed."
The principal explained, "The first incident of sexual harassment occurred on April 25, after a farewell party for administrative staff held at a raw fish restaurant on Nohwado, Wando. While moving to a coffee shop and inside the shop, Mr. B attempted physical contact, and despite my clear refusal, he repeatedly hugged me and engaged in forcible molestation."
He continued, "The second incident took place 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, Mr. B suddenly approached, hugged me, and made inappropriate remarks," reiterating, "Other staff members also witnessed the incident."
The principal stated, "Repeated sexual harassment caused me to feel sexual shame and humiliation," and emphasized, "At first, I was embarrassed and worried about destabilizing the organization, so I did not make an issue of it and only gave a warning."
Regarding the allegations of verbal abuse such as 'unauthorized business trips' and 'unauthorized overtime' raised by Mr. B, the principal admitted, "It was not habitual, but happened just once." He acknowledged, "Business trips must be reported to the principal, but when I was absent, a trip was approved by the vice principal without following official procedures. Since this violated the guidelines, I got angry and made such a remark once."
He added, "In fact, Mr. B was the one who first said, 'I don't want to come to school because I don't want to see the principal.' This is verbal abuse and picking a fight with a superior."
Regarding allegations of fraudulent business trip expenses, the principal explained, "Specialized high schools tend to have more business trips. For a specialized high school principal, 100 business trips is not excessive," and clarified, "According to the provincial office of education audit, the total business trip expenses were 369,000 won, and including fines, I paid about 2 million won."
On the suspicion of 'card cashing' related to new student recruitment, the principal countered, "It was not me but another staff member who made an advance payment of 800,000 won. That staff member was cautioned for the advance payment, but Mr. B is claiming as if I was responsible."
Regarding the envelope of cash incident related to educational projects, the principal stated, "At that time, the vice principal immediately returned the 300,000 won given by the contractor, reported it to the audit office, and then to the police. I accompanied the report as well. I had nothing to do with it, but Mr. B is claiming as if I was involved, which is extremely insulting."
On the issue of advance payment for bread, the principal explained, "I counsel one or two students a day, and providing drinks and bread is essential for active counseling. The advance payment was made for that purpose."
The principal concluded, "Mr. B's claims are personal opinions," and stated, "Depending on future developments, I am also considering additional legal action for defamation and spreading false information."
Meanwhile, the audit office of the South Jeolla Provincial Office of Education received a complaint at the end of September, followed by a report to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and conducted an audit, stating, "We requested appropriate personnel measures according to the manual and the severity of the case."
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