Lee Ju-ho Meets Teachers: "Cannot Tolerate Infringement on Educational Activities... Revising Student Human Rights Ordinance"

Meeting with On-site Teachers Held
Promises on Measures to Remedy Teacher Harms and More

In Seocho-gu, Seoul, where an elementary school teacher made an extreme choice, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho met with teachers and said, "We intend to boldly remove unreasonable systems and practices."

On the 21st, Deputy Prime Minister Lee visited the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and held an on-site meeting with teachers titled 'On-site Discussion for the Establishment of Teachers' Authority,' where he made these remarks.

He stated, "In particular, the rights of students have been excessively emphasized and prioritized in schools, causing teachers' authority to fall to the ground and the classroom environment to collapse. For example, by asserting the right not to be discriminated against under the Student Human Rights Ordinance, legitimate praise and encouragement from teachers have been perceived as discrimination by other students, making diverse lessons difficult."

He continued, "Any infringement on educational activities of teachers who teach students cannot be tolerated under any circumstances," and emphasized, "The Ministry of Education will strive to establish teachers' authority and ensure that teachers' legitimate educational activities are legally fully guaranteed, creating a balanced educational environment."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho is shaking hands with on-site teachers during the 'Field Meeting for the Establishment of Teachers' Authority' at the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 21st.
[Photo by Ministry of Education]

Deputy Prime Minister Lee said he would work with provincial education superintendents to reorganize the Student Human Rights Ordinance and resolve the issues raised. He also stated that he would support the legislative process in the National Assembly to ensure that educational activities in schools are protected when judging violations of child abuse under the Child Welfare Act and the Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse.

He also mentioned that, through cooperation with related ministries, they would comprehensively review measures to supplement the counseling process between teachers and parents to remedy teachers' damages.

Regarding the death of the teacher at Seoi Elementary School, he said that the exact facts would be confirmed and responded to accordingly.

Deputy Prime Minister Lee added, "To solve the problem, it is necessary to carefully analyze the root causes, improve the system, and establish a culture of respect for teachers' authority in schools and society," and requested, "I ask the education community and the public to join forces."

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