[Anchor]
With the third anniversary of the death of a teacher at Seoi Elementary School, who passed away after suffering from malicious complaints by parents, just one day away, teachers from across the country have taken to the streets. Claiming that nothing has changed in the past three years, they are calling for legal amendments to protect teachers from indiscriminate lawsuits and accusations.
Jeong Banseok reports.
[Reporter]
In July 2023, Kim Hyun-joo, an elementary school teacher with over 20 years of experience, was reported for alleged child abuse.
A parent filed the report because Kim had a student who failed to complete their homework solve problems on the classroom floor, and the parent had even recorded the situation in the classroom.
This occurred eight days after the teacher at Seoi Elementary School passed away following harassment from parental complaints.
[Kim Hyun-joo/Elementary School Teacher: The shock at that time was indescribable. I was sitting there (in the 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 other teachers came (to take over the same class).]
It took nearly two years for Kim to be cleared of charges, as the actions were recognized as part of routine classroom management, and to finally be free from civil litigation.
Kim has even published a book while helping other teachers who have gone through similar experiences.
The title is Surviving Unjust Child Abuse Reports.
[Kim Hyun-joo/Elementary School Teacher: There were days when I received calls from four teachers who had been reported for child abuse. We cried together, and the first thing we would say to each other was, 'Now I know why the Seoi Elementary teacher passed away.' There is nothing we can do.]
With the third anniversary of the Seoi Elementary teacher's death one day away, 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. After threatening to report the teacher, were you at peace? Did that really help your child grow up to be a better person?]
They demanded amendments to the current Child Welfare Act, arguing that the vague concept of emotional child abuse is leading to a flood of lawsuits.
[Kang Seok-jo/Chairman of the Elementary School Teachers' Labor Union: Amend the Child Welfare Act immediately. There will be no more education that runs on the sacrifices of teachers!]
A day earlier, Minister of Education Choi Kyo-jin expressed his intention to push for legal amendments, stating that he would ensure educational activities are not stifled by indiscriminate, groundless child abuse reports.
(Reported by Park Hyun-chul and Kim Young-hwan | Video edited by Kim Jong-tae)
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