Yoon orders government to prioritize addressing teachers' rights

Teachers across the country suspended classes on Monday to mark the 49th day since a Seo 2 Elementary School teacher died by suicide, sparking a nationwide debate on teachers' rights.

A visitor pays tribute to the Seo 2 Elementary School teacher who died by suicide in July, on Monday. The day marks the 49th day since her death. [YONHAP]

President Yoon Suk Yeol issued an order on Monday to prioritize restoring teachers' rights and normalizing education.

Yoon, in a meeting with presidential secretaries, said, "pay close attention to teachers' voices and hear out their concerns shared in a rally last weekend."

On Saturday, 200,000 teachers gathered in front of the National Assembly as part of the weekly rally that began in July. It was the biggest since the demonstrations started.

Teachers across the country suspended classes on Monday to mark the 49th day since a Seo 2 Elementary School teacher died by suicide, sparking a nationwide debate on teachers' rights. Observing the 49th day since death is a Buddhist ritual.

Some teachers plan to hold a memorial service in front of the National Assembly at 4:30 p.m. in Yeouido.

Since the teacher's death, educators began sharing the harassment they endured, particularly from parents, many of whom have filed lawsuits against the teachers for child abuse. These legal actions have made it challenging for teachers to maintain discipline in the classroom or provide counseling.

The Seo 2 Elementary School teacher, who died by suicide on the school campus on July 18, was reportedly harassed by parents.

According to the teachers' union, one of the parents had belittled the teacher and even questioned her qualifications after another classmate injured their child with a pencil.

Since the death, other incidents of teachers taking their own lives have surfaced, including two teachers from Uijeongbu Howon Elementary School who died six months apart.

On Saturday, two more teachers killed themselves, one from Seoul, a mother of two, and another from Gunsan, North Jeolla.

On Sunday, a physical education teacher in his 60s took his own life.

According to his family and education office, a parent reported the teacher to the Gyeonggi Province Office of Education and the police for an incident in June.

A parent reported the teacher to the education office and the police for neglecting their injured child, who was hurt after being hit by a ball kicked by another student.

The teacher was not present at the scene when it happened. "One would think that parents would refrain from harassing teachers, especially in light of the Seo 2 Elementary School tragedy and the recent social outcry. However, the unfortunate reality is that even today, some parents persist in harassing teachers," a teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

If you or someone you know is feeling emotionally distressed or struggling with thoughts of suicide, LifeLine Korea can be contacted at 1588-9191. The Seoul Foreign Resident Center offers English-language counseling. Contact 02-2229-4900 to arrange a session. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]