Teachers Disciplined for Sexual Violence Cannot Serve as Homeroom Teachers for Up to 10 Years

Dismissal or removal for sexual violence disciplinary action results in 10 years exclusion from homeroom; demotion leads to 9 years exclusion
Enforcement decree specifying exceptions for separating school violence perpetrators and victims also approved
Malicious asset concealment prevention and litigation document requests allowed to receive national scholarships

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is delivering opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held on the 25th at the Government Seoul Office on Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Teachers disciplined for sexual misconduct, including sexual violence, will be barred from serving as homeroom teachers for up to 10 years.

On the 15th, the Ministry of Education announced that it reviewed and approved amendments to seven enforcement ordinances, including the Enforcement Decree of the Educational Officials Appointment Act and the Enforcement Decree of the Private School Act, at the Cabinet meeting. These two enforcement decrees contain provisions delegated by the Educational Officials Act and the Private School Act, which will take effect on the 23rd.

The disciplinary reasons for exclusion from homeroom duties include sexual violence, sexual crimes against children and adolescents, prostitution, and sexual harassment. The exclusion periods are 10 years for dismissal or removal, 9 years for demotion, 7 years for suspension, and 5 years for pay reduction or reprimand. This measure aims to separate teachers who committed sexual misconduct from students and prevent secondary damage.

The Ministry of Education has identified approximately 460 teachers subject to homeroom exclusion; these teachers will be excluded from homeroom duties and will not receive homeroom allowances. However, they may still serve as position teachers or in other roles.

An official from the Ministry of Education stated, "After the amendment was passed at the end of last year, we requested that homeroom teachers not be replaced mid-semester, and most applicable teachers were excluded. However, if violations of the law are found, we will take measures to replace them immediately from the second semester."

The "School Violence Prevention Act," which stipulates the separation of perpetrator and victim students after a school violence incident, will be enforced starting on the 23rd. Prior to enforcement, the Ministry of Education prepared an amendment to the enforcement decree specifying exceptions. Exceptions include cases where the victim student expresses opposition to separation, situations outside of educational activities (such as vacations or after school), or when the perpetrator student has already been separated through emergency measures.

An amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Korea Student Aid Foundation Establishment Act was also approved to prevent malicious concealment or transfer of assets to fraudulently receive national scholarships. It will allow requests for materials related to fraudulent acts (intentional reduction of assets to make debt repayment difficult) from the National Tax Service and local governments. Additionally, information on types, amounts, qualifications, and application methods for financial aid will be provided to high school and university students from basic and lower-income households.

The Ministry of Education explained, "This will establish a foundation to prevent unfair scholarship receipt by malicious defaulters and enhance the soundness of financial aid."

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