Jeonghee Kim, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member, Criticizes Care Workers' Strike for 'Neglecting Student Safety'

Jeonghee Kim, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Kim Jeong-hee, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly, pointed out that “in Suncheon, Jeonnam, where a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred, school care classroom assistants are attending large-scale rallies, posing a significant threat to children’s safety.”

On the 10th, Kim Jeong-hee revealed that during the administrative audit of the Suncheon, Boseong, Jangheung, Gangjin, and Wando Education Support Offices held at the Gangjin Education Support Office on the 9th, “some of the care assistants at frontline schools in Suncheon attended a large-scale rally with as many as 6,000 people,” and criticized, “While legally guaranteed rights are recognized, duties must also be observed.”

He continued, “Attending rallies during the dangerous times of COVID-19 threatens children’s safety,” and demanded, “Make sure to come to work only after testing negative to prevent students from being infected with COVID.”

Additionally, he urged, “Since this is a matter directly related to children’s health, meticulous administration and accurate checks by the Suncheon Education Support Office are necessary.”

In response, a representative from the Suncheon Education Support Office stated, “There are a total of 86 care assistants in Suncheon, of whom 70 participated in the strike,” and added, “Complaints from parents refusing the attendance of care assistants who joined the strike led to conducting COVID tests for all.”

They also added, “The current COVID-19 situation in Suncheon is serious. We plan to promptly hold the Suncheon Civil-Government Joint Countermeasures Committee meeting to discuss whether to implement remote classes.”

Meanwhile, care assistants affiliated with the National School Irregular Workers Solidarity held a nationwide large-scale rally in front of the Ministry of Education building on the 6th, gathering 6,000 people. In Jeonnam, among 426 elementary schools operating care classrooms, 262 schools had at least one care assistant participating in the strike, and out of the total 620 care assistants (permanent staff), 387 (62.4%) took part in the strike.

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