Civil School Principal Apologizes After Controversy Over Calling "Red" and "Deep-rooted Evils" Everyday Terms

"It Was Not a Situation to Speak the True Meaning... I Apologize"

Han Man-wi, principal of Minjok Leadership Academy, apologized a day after sparking controversy by stating that "red commies and deep-rooted evils are everyday language." In his apology on the 10th, Principal Han said, "I am sorry for causing hurt with my remarks that led to misunderstanding and controversy," and added, "I deeply apologize for wrongly conveying that the use of the two words, red commies and deep-rooted evils, falls under freedom of expression and that the school does not prohibit their use."

Han Man-wi, principal of Minjok Leadership Academy, appeared as a witness at the full meeting of the Education Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 9th, responding to lawmakers' questions. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Earlier, on the 9th, the National Assembly Education Committee held an emergency inquiry regarding school violence issues involving the son of lawyer Jeong Soon-shin. The meeting was attended by the head of admissions at Seoul National University, where Jeong’s son enrolled, and the principal of Minjok Leadership Academy, where the incident occurred, both as witnesses.

On that day, independent lawmaker Min Hyung-bae said, "During the violence involving (lawyer Jeong Soon-shin’s son), the term 'red commie' was mentioned," to which Principal Han replied, "Since children have the freedom to use such terms, I did not have a sense of problem." He further stated, "Is that violence? It is language used so commonly in everyday life."

Regarding this, Principal Han explained, "I was not in a situation to calmly explain my true intentions." He said, "I am well aware that if these two words are used in personal disputes or confrontations within the school, they must be corrected in the educational environment. However, I wanted to express that the school cannot know or control personal conversations between individuals," adding, "I intended to respond that the school tried to strictly discipline the offending student even amid ongoing administrative and legal disputes, but I was not given enough opportunity to properly express this." He continued, "I apologize once again for causing confusion and hurt with an unrefined answer given in insufficient time," and said, "I will reflect on yesterday’s incident and do my best to prevent school violence going forward."

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