Unauthorized Intrusions at Busan Schools Occur Every Three Weeks; Urgent Countermeasures Needed

▲ An elementary school with a sign prohibiting unauthorized entry

Concerns are mounting over the frequent occurrence of unauthorized individuals trespassing into schools in the Busan area, with experts calling for urgent countermeasures.

According to the Busan Teachers Union on Thursday, July 16, there have been approximately 80 cases of unauthorized school intrusions in Busan over the past five years, averaging 16 incidents per year.

This means that school security is breached roughly once every three weeks.

Earlier this month, an incident occurred at an elementary school in Busan where a parent trespassed onto the campus after school hours and assaulted a student.

At the time, the school security guard was on patrol, leaving the main gate post unattended. The school administration only became aware of the incident after police arrived following reports from students.

The Busan Teachers Union stated, "We have repeatedly requested the establishment of a proper school access control system, but many schools continue to shift the responsibility of managing unauthorized visitors to teachers under the guise of 'student safety.'" The union further pointed out, "Just as a teacher was attacked with a weapon by an intruder at a school in Daejeon in 2023, teachers are also potential victims of such dangers."

The union also urged for the implementation of measures, such as installing school access control systems, arguing that "assigning access control duties to teachers who cannot be stationed at the main gate at all times is an evasion of responsibility."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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