"Student-Teacher Human Rights Opposing Remarks Spark Another Conflict"

Seoul Teachers' Union Deputy Spokesperson SBS Interview
"Student Assembly Reform? A Showy Policy"

Kim Hee-sung, deputy spokesperson of the Seoul Teachers' Union (currently an elementary school teacher), said that the Ministry of Education's announcement to reorganize the Student Human Rights Ordinance in relation to the death of a teacher at Seoi Elementary School "is not seen as a fundamental solution."

In an interview on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' on the 24th, Deputy Spokesperson Kim stated, "Many teachers are afraid that another conflict may arise due to remarks that place student rights and teacher rights at opposing points."

On the 21st, a memorial altar was set up at the Gangnam Seocho Office of Education in Seoul for homeroom teacher A from Seoi Elementary School, who died by suicide. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

He continued, "The fundamental issue of (teacher rights violations) lies in the fact that as student rights are emphasized, teachers' authority has been tied up," emphasizing, "While maintaining a policy that values student rights, teachers must be given proper authority."

He pointed out that regarding student rights and teacher rights, "The chronic problem of this situation is the perception that if one side grows, the other must shrink."

He added, "There must be measures to protect teachers when they are accused under the Child Abuse Act or receive excessive complaints from parents during guidance, for it to be effective. Simply revising the Student Human Rights Ordinance has no real effect," expressing concern that "it may become a precedent for a showy policy."

Regarding the death of the Seoi Elementary School teacher, Deputy Spokesperson Kim said they are collecting testimonies from fellow teachers, stating, "Although there was no report filed as school violence, we have clearly confirmed that there were conflicts among students in the class related to school violence, and that the deceased received a kind of complaint because of this," adding, "this is consistent with what was somewhat revealed in the school's official statement."

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