Lee Hyuk-je, Jeonnam Provincial Council Member, Highlights Vast Differences in School Violence by Region

Lee Hyuk-je, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-gyeong] Lee Hyuk-je, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council, pointed out on the 9th during the administrative audit conducted at the Yeonggwang Office of Education for Naju, Hwasun, Muan, Hampyeong, Jangseong, and Yeonggwang Offices of Education that “there are significant differences in the increase and decrease of school violence incidents among the 22 city and county education offices in the Jeonnam region.”

According to the data announced by Councilor Lee Hyuk-je on this day, the total number of school violence cases until September of this year, after the transfer to the School Support Center, was 1,029 cases, a 45% decrease of 838 cases compared to 1,867 cases last year. However, among the 22 city and county education offices, 14 showed a decrease rate below the overall average, showing significant regional differences.

Looking at the rate of increase and decrease in school violence incidents in five cities from the 2019 academic year to the 2020 academic year, the order was Suncheon (▲63%), Mokpo (▲57%), Gwangyang (▲52%), Yeosu (▲33%), and Naju (0%), with Suncheon and Mokpo having the highest decrease rates.

Councilor Lee Hyuk-je stated, “Since the handling of school violence cases was transferred from schools to the regional education office’s School Support Center, there are significant differences in the increase or decrease of school violence incidents depending on the reconciliation and mediation efforts of the members of each regional education office’s School Support Center.”

He continued, “Comparing before and after the transfer to the School Support Center, from 2019 to September 2020, Hwasun decreased significantly from 58 cases to 4 cases, Muan from 115 cases to 26 cases, whereas Hampyeong increased from 31 cases to 34 cases (10%), Yeonggwang from 32 cases to 50 cases (56%), and Jangseong from 32 cases to 34 cases (6%).”

In particular, he emphasized, “When school violence occurs and is handled as a formal case, both the perpetrator and the victim students ultimately become victims. Therefore, the best solution to school violence is to reconcile and mediate in advance. The regions where school violence cases have sharply decreased are the result of such efforts.”

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