Regarding this report, the school principal's side stated, "The space in question existed even before the principal took office, and the principal has neither newly created a smoking area nor condoned student smoking. The Office of Education's field visit was a procedure following the school's report on the day of the fire and an investigation was already scheduled, so it was unrelated to the reporting. The message sent to parents was intended to ask for restraint so that a negative image of the school would not spread."
This report is in accordance with a mediation agreement by the Press Arbitration Commission.