Jeong Muchang, Gwangju City Council Member, "Gwangju Office of Education Neglects Human Rights Protection for Student Athletes"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education has been criticized for virtually neglecting complaints related to school sports teams in the district that have been raised since last year.

On the 9th, Gwangju Metropolitan Council member Jeong Muchang pointed out during the Office of Education's administrative audit, “Amid growing attention to the chronic violence issues in the sports world following the late athlete Choi Sook-hyun case, recent incidents of assault and human rights violations have occurred in school sports teams in the Gwangju area,” adding, “The Office of Education must thoroughly investigate the assault and human rights violation cases involving the school sports teams.”

According to data submitted by the Office of Education that day, a total of 14 complaints related to school sports teams have been received from 2016 to the present.

Specifically, there were 3 cases in 2016, 1 in 2017, 2 in 2018, 6 in 2019, and 2 in 2020.

For example, at Gwangju J High School’s baseball team, a victim was retaliated against by a senior player for reporting a coach, resulting in a broken finger and a six-week medical diagnosis. The Korea Baseball Softball Association imposed a suspension of 1 year and 6 months on the offender.

In the case of the baseball team coach at C Middle School, it was revealed that a school violence investigation was conducted in the presence of the entire baseball team, including both the victim and the perpetrator.

The National Human Rights Commission issued a warning to the coach and recommended that all baseball team management teachers, including the coach, receive job training on school violence investigation methods and child rights.

Council member Jeong Muchang stated, “Due to the nature of school sports teams, violence is less likely to be exposed externally, so the Office of Education must respond strongly to prevent any victims from occurring.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.