[Anchor]
Teachers have taken to the streets one day before the third anniversary of the death of a teacher at Seoi Elementary School. They are calling for legal reforms, arguing that nothing has changed since the tragedy. Reporter Jeong Banseok shares the story of a teacher who wrote a book after suffering from child abuse accusations.
[Reporter]
In July 2023, Kim Hyun-ju, an elementary school teacher with over 20 years of experience, was reported for alleged child abuse.
A parent filed the report because Kim had instructed a student who failed to complete their homework to solve the problems while sitting on the classroom floor. The parent had even recorded the situation in the classroom.
This occurred just eight days after the teacher at Seoi Elementary School passed away following struggles with parental complaints.
[Kim Hyun-ju/Elementary School Teacher: The shock at that time is indescribable. I was sitting there (in that classroom) and couldn't bring myself to go home, so I called a suicide prevention center. After I was forcibly removed as the homeroom teacher, eight different teachers came to replace me (as the homeroom teacher for that class).]
It took nearly two years for Kim to be cleared of charges, as her actions were recognized as part of routine classroom management, and to finally resolve the subsequent civil lawsuit.
Kim even published a book to help other teachers who have gone through similar experiences.
The title is "Surviving Unjust Child Abuse Accusations."
[Kim Hyun-ju/Elementary School Teacher: There were days when I received calls from four different teachers who had been reported for child abuse. We cried together, and the first thing we would say to each other was, 'Now I understand why the Seoi Elementary School teacher passed away.' There is nothing we can do.]
One day before the third anniversary of the Seoi Elementary School teacher's death, Kim joined the protest on the streets.
Organizers estimated that 50,000 people participated.
They spoke with one voice, stating that nothing has changed even after three years.
[Elementary School Teacher from Busan: I want to ask the parent who reported me once again. Did you feel at ease after threatening to report your child's teacher? Did your child really grow up to be a better person because of that?]
They demanded amendments to the current Child Welfare Act, arguing that the vague concept of "emotional abuse" is leading to an excessive number of lawsuits.
[Kang Seok-jo/Chairman of the Elementary School Teachers' Union: Amend the Child Welfare Act immediately. Education can no longer function on the sacrifices of teachers!]
A day earlier, Minister of Education Choi Kyo-jin expressed his intention to push for legal reforms, stating that he would ensure educational activities are not stifled by reckless, malicious child abuse accusations.
(Video coverage: Park Hyun-chul, Kim Young-hwan | Video editing: Kim Jong-tae)
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