All 35 Teachers of JeonGyoJo Involved in 'Sewol Ferry Political Declaration' Sentenced Guilty

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 11th, teachers affiliated with the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (Jeon-gyo-jo), who were prosecuted for participating in a political declaration during the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, were found guilty.

Judge Jang Won-jung of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25 sentenced 35 defendants, including Lee Mo, who were charged with violating the National Public Officials Act, to one year of probation and fines ranging from 300,000 to 500,000 KRW each.

The court stated, "The defendants, through a collective declaration, went beyond merely urging the truth about the Sewol ferry disaster and called for the resignation of the administration, inciting participation and thereby infringing on political neutrality," adding, "This constitutes collective action outside official duties, undermining the essence of public officials." The court further noted, "Considering the nationwide grief over the Sewol ferry disaster and the great disappointment with the administration, the fact that the defendants identified themselves as teachers and the impact of their actions lead to a recognition of guilt."

However, the court reflected in sentencing the special nature of the Sewol ferry disaster, acknowledging the defendants' deep sorrow as teachers, and the fact that the Minister of Education withdrew the charges against them.

The defendants, shortly after the Sewol ferry disaster in May 2014, demanded a thorough investigation of the disaster, punishment of those responsible, and the resignation of the Park Geun-hye administration through the "On-site Teachers' Political Declaration." In response, the Ministry of Education reported the teachers who participated in the declaration to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office for violating the National Public Officials Act, which mandates political neutrality, and some of them were prosecuted and tried.

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