Controversy Over Group Punishment at Prestigious Gangwon High School for Inadequate Meal Service Volunteer Work

Lying Face Down During Punishment Posted on School Community and 국민신문고
School Says "Reported for Child Abuse Allegations, Investigation Underway" ... Concerns Over 'Disruption of Educational Activities'

More than 30 students were seen lying face down as punishment, which sparked controversy after being posted on an online community. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] A photo showing students at a prestigious public high school in Gangwon-do receiving group physical punishment from a teacher has sparked controversy.

According to education authorities on the 15th, around 2:20 PM on the 7th, students who were in charge of meal duty at High School A in Gangwon-do were made to do the "eolcharyeo" (a military-style physical punishment involving lying face down with arms and legs extended) in front of the main entrance of the school building, while all students watched. About 30 students, including class leaders and vice leaders from grades 1 to 3, were punished for not properly performing their meal service duties.

Students who witnessed this took photos and posted them on the school community, criticizing the teacher's coercive punishment as "ttong-gun-gi" (a slang term referring to harsh military-like discipline). Some students even reported the incident to the Gangwon-do Office of Education’s National Petition Board. After criticism and controversy over the group punishment arose, all photos and posts related to the punishment were deleted from the school community, and the petition was withdrawn from the National Petition Board.

The school reported the incident as child abuse under the Child Welfare Act, and the city office and police are scheduled to conduct a joint investigation. The principal of High School A stated, "Even soldiers are not subjected to group eolcharyeo, so it was wrong. The punishment lasted about one minute, but the photos and reports have exaggerated the situation. Following the education office’s policy, we reported it as child abuse to the city office on the 11th."

He added, "The students who watched the punishment were dissatisfied, but those who were punished did not raise any issues. The teacher in charge regrets showing action instead of just speaking."

An education office official also said, "Even if the intention was good, eolcharyeo itself should not occur, and the Child Welfare Act prohibits emotional and physical abuse. Since it has been reported as child abuse and an investigation is underway, a disciplinary committee will be convened once the results are out."

Students posted the photos on other online communities as well, and netizens’ opinions are divided. A student from High School A said, "The school atmosphere is coercive and one-sided, and students’ autonomy is not respected. I hope such incidents never happen again."

On the other hand, while the corporal punishment itself was wrong, some express concern that students posting online and reporting before the matter is resolved amicably could undermine teachers’ authority. The principal of High School A said, "Teachers’ authority has been greatly diminished. There are many issues that could be resolved within the school, but minor matters are being reported to the National Petition Board, so correction seems necessary."

An education office official said, "Corporal punishment is obviously unacceptable, but there is also concern that it might disrupt educational activities. Schools can operate sufficiently according to school life regulations. We hope educational activities proceed without infringing on teachers’ authority." Some netizens also commented, "Is this level of discipline no longer allowed at school?" and "The issue spread quickly online before the school could resolve it."

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