Daycare Teachers Who Went to a Bar While Working with a 23-Month-Old Child

Possibility of Punishment for Violating the Infant Protection Act
Director "The Child Also Ate Chicken Well, So I Am Surprised"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A director and teachers at a daycare center in Seoul sparked controversy after being caught by a child's mother enjoying "chimaek" (fried chicken and beer) at a bar while taking care of a 23-month-old child during working hours.

According to a Yonhap News report on the 31st, A, a working mother living in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, received a text message from the director of the daycare center her 23-month-old child attends at 5:47 p.m. on the 27th. The message said they had left the daycare with the child and were nearby, asking her to contact them upon arrival. A’s child was enrolled in the daycare’s extended care program and was supposed to stay until 7:30 p.m.

Curious about why they were outside, A hurriedly left work and went near the daycare around 6:40 p.m. to find them. The child and the daycare teachers were found at a bar. The director and five teachers were sitting with the child beside them, eating draft beer and fried chicken at a nearby bar. Based on the time A received the message, the child had been at the bar for at least an hour.

According to A’s testimony, they were enjoying drinks and snacks in a very cheerful atmosphere. Although she was angry upon seeing this, she held back and returned home to call the director to complain. However, the director only made excuses and seemed unaware of the wrongdoing. Consequently, A reported the incident to the district office and the police and posted about it on an online community.

Online community members who heard A’s story were outraged. Comments ranged from "the most shocking daycare story I’ve heard this year" to "leaving the workplace and drinking on duty," and "it’s unbelievable that such incidents happen despite numerous past accidents," with most expressing shock and anger.

The police have received the case and started an investigation, and the district office plans to conduct an on-site inspection. Since the daycare teachers violated work regulations by not adhering to working hours, they may be punished under the Infant Care Act or the Child Welfare Act. If violations are confirmed, penalties such as subsidy recovery, suspension of operations, disqualification, fines, and corrective orders may be imposed.

The daycare director said, "We were planning to eat chicken with the teachers, but the child’s mother seemed upset after seeing the drinks," adding, "Leaving the childcare room itself was a problem, and I apologized to the mother, but she didn’t seem to calm down." The director also added, "The child ate the chicken well, so the unexpected turn of events is embarrassing."

A told Yonhap News, "We decided to stop attending the daycare, and I explained the situation to my company and took a leave of absence to look for another daycare," adding, "I hope a social environment is created where working parents can safely entrust their children and that childcare facility teachers take care of children with a responsible attitude."

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