"Just One Glass, Quietly": Vice Principal and Students Caught Drinking on Field Trip, Covered Up

Controversy has erupted after a vice principal in charge of a high school field trip in South Gyeongsang Province allegedly condoned student drinking during lunchtime, while some teachers also consumed alcohol.

According to the Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education and other sources on October 20, around 100 first- and third-year students from a private high school in the province went on a one-day field trip to an art center in Busan on October 14.

Second-year students were away on a school trip to Seoul and did not participate in this schedule.

The issue came to light during lunchtime at a nearby large buffet restaurant.

Vice Principal B, the official in charge of supervision, reportedly brought draft beer provided at the restaurant and drank one glass. When a teacher tried to stop him, he allegedly said, "Isn't one glass fine? Teachers can drink if you want to."

It is reported that four out of the 16 supervising teachers, excluding the vice principal, also drank alcohol.

Among the students, 10 individuals—four first-year and six third-year students—poured beer into paper cups and drank.

When a supervising teacher intervened, the students reportedly responded, "The vice principal told us to drink just this cup without making it obvious."

Upon receiving this report, Vice Principal B reportedly condoned the drinking, stating, "I couldn't tell them to throw it away, so I let them finish what they were drinking," while telling them in effect, "Don't make it obvious that you drank."

Critics point out that supervising teachers permitting minors to drink is a violation of student safety and behavioral guidance duties, and potentially breaches the Youth Protection Act.

Viewing the situation with utmost gravity, the provincial office of education sent the superintendent of the regional office of education to the private high school on October 19 under the instructions of Superintendent Gwon Soon-ki to investigate the matter.

Subsequently, the Democratic Citizenship Education Division and Secondary Education Division of the provincial office of education are conducting additional investigations into the case.

An official from the provincial office of education stated, "We perceive this matter with extreme seriousness," adding, "Through a thorough audit, we plan to clearly clarify the facts and demand disciplinary action against those involved from the school foundation."

The official further explained, "We will re-emphasize guidelines for teacher conduct and student safety management during external educational activities such as field trips to all schools," and added, "For the students involved in drinking, our focus will be on guidance and protective measures." [Note: Literal translation of guidance and protective measures context]

The school principal, who had been leading the second-year school trip at the time of the field trip, said in a phone call, "An incident that should never have happened occurred while supervising students," and repeatedly apologized, saying, "I have nothing to say even if I have ten mouths."

He added, "Vice Principal B is currently acknowledging his wrongdoing and reflecting on it."

(Photo provided by Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.