In a powerful display of solidarity, teachers in South Korea have embarked on a mass walkout to protest against the rampant harassment they face from both overbearing parents and unruly students. The dire situation has tragically led some educators to take their own lives.
While the issue of bullying and violence among students has been widely reported, teachers are now demanding better protection for themselves, as mounting outrage surrounds the mistreatment of teaching staff, including accusations of child abuse for disciplinary actions.
One elementary school teacher, identified as Koh, emphasized, “Teacher rights are just as important as student rights. We too are being bullied by parents and students, and this must stop.”
Approximately 15,000 individuals, dressed in black as a symbol of their protest, gathered for a rally outside the national assembly in Seoul. Emotions ran high as impassioned speeches were delivered on stage, and similar rallies took place across the country.
Despite authorities deeming their actions illegal and threatening legal consequences, many teachers took leave to participate in the protests on Monday, resulting in some schools temporarily closing their doors.
Kim, who chose to be identified only by her surname, attended the Seoul rally to show support. She stressed, “Teachers are instrumental in shaping the future of our children. Schools are supposed to be safe, and not places where teachers are abused.”
The movement of teachers demanding their rights gained momentum following the tragic death of a 23-year-old elementary schoolteacher in July. She was discovered deceased at her school in Seoul, an apparent victim of suicide, after expressing anxiety over complaints from abusive parents.
In the wake of this tragedy, teachers nationwide have been holding vigils and staging demonstrations every weekend to mourn her death and call for improved rights. The movement culminated in a massive rally in Seoul, where as many as 200,000 teachers gathered.
Monday marked the 49th day since the teacher’s passing, an important day in funeral rites in many Buddhist traditions. Recent reports of several other apparent teacher suicides have only fueled further outrage over the mistreatment of teachers.
The group spearheading these protests, “Everyone Together As One,” has a clear mission: “We will protect them (the teachers) and make changes so that not one more teacher chooses to take their life.”
Disturbingly, government data reveals that as of June, 100 schoolteachers had died by suicide in South Korea since 2018, with 57 of them teaching at elementary schools.
In response to the crisis, the education ministry has pledged to strengthen educational authority and is actively advocating for legislation to differentiate “legitimate educational activities” from child abuse crimes.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, President Yoon Suk Yeol has directed officials to prioritize the protection of teachers’ rights, recognizing the urgent need for change.
South Korea faces a distressing reality as it grapples with the highest suicide rate among developed countries, with suicide being the leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 39.
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