According to the Jeju Provincial Office of Education and the Jeju Teachers' Union, the incident occurred around mid-April during a psychological counseling session for students with emotional or behavioral difficulties.
When the teacher explained the student's conflict with another student, the student abruptly threw objects and attempted to escape through a third-floor window.
When the teacher prevented him, the boy punched and kicked her, throwing chairs and other items at her. The attack only stopped after 5 people, including the principal and vice principal, arrived at the scene.
The teacher sustained hand and leg injuries, requiring two weeks of medical treatment. She is currently on leave to treat insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
At the victim's request, the regional teacher rights protection committee under the Jeju Provincial Office of Education opened an investigation late last month.
The assaulted teacher expressed a wish that no one else would experience a similar situation. She also hoped authorities would take appropriate measures to make students aware of their misconduct, fostering a safe educational environment where teachers are protected.
This incident highlights systemic vulnerabilities in South Korea, where teachers often face unruly students without adequate support. The Jeju Teachers' Union called for reforms to the teacher protection system, advocating for support from professional response teams.
Proposed measures include: increasing the number of teachers on rights protection committees, reforming the school complaint reception system, providing recovery support for affected teachers, and reviewing school management's responsibility in protecting teachers.
 |
The school counseling room at an elementary school in Jeju, where the incident took place. Photo: Jeju Teachers' Union |
Teachers in South Korea face immense pressure, constantly dealing with disobedient students and demanding parents. Last year's data from the Ministry of Education revealed that one out of every 25 education students quit the profession, a record high.
Khanh Linh (According to The Korea Times, Korea JoongAng Daily)
