"Forced to Drink Water and Vomit" Ulsan Daycare 'Heedae' Trial, All 11 Sentenced to Imprisonment and Fines Requested

Prison Sentence Requested → 1 Childcare Teacher 5 Years, 6 Teachers 1-3 Years

Fine Requested → Director 55 Million Won, 3 Teachers 10 Million Won Each

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A rare trial in the education sector took place in court, where 11 teachers and directors of a national and public daycare center in Ulsan faced prosecution simultaneously.

The prosecution demanded prison sentences and fines for the teachers at the national and public daycare center in Nam-gu, Ulsan, on charges of repeatedly abusing children, including forcing a 3-year-old child to drink water until vomiting.

At the sentencing hearing held on the 12th at Ulsan District Court, 8th Criminal Division (Judge Jung Hyun-soo), the prosecution requested a 5-year prison sentence and a 10-year employment ban in related institutions for childcare teacher A, who was indicted for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes.

The prosecution also asked the court to impose a fine of 55 million won on director B.

For six other childcare teachers, the prosecution sought prison sentences ranging from 1 to 3 years each, and for the remaining three childcare teachers, fines of 10 million won each were requested.

Teacher A was prosecuted for abusing multiple children about 300 times, including forcing a 3-year-old child in 2019 to drink seven cups of water over 12 minutes until vomiting, and making the child drink water left by other children.

Director B is accused of neglecting child care and assaulting a parent of a victim child who requested to view CCTV footage by pushing them.

The other nine childcare teachers are charged with over 600 instances of abuse and neglect involving 49 children aged 0 to 3 years.

They are accused of emotional abuse such as leaving children alone in a dark classroom or making them stand facing the wall for long periods, as well as physical and mental abuse including hitting and pinching the children’s heads and backs, and forcing children to punish each other.

The prosecution stated, “The defendants repeatedly abused young children in ways that go beyond common sense, neglecting their duties as childcare teachers. Director B, who was supposed to supervise, also neglected the abuse, making the nature of the crime very serious and warranting severe punishment.”

The sentencing hearing is scheduled to be held on September 9 at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 301 of the Ulsan District Court.

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