"Concerns Over Reinforcing Prejudice Against Disabilities... It Hurts Everyone," Special Education Teachers Appeal

Special Education Teachers Feel Bitter About Ju Homin Controversy
"Wish They Had Consulted Teachers Before Using a Recorder"
"Concerned Discriminatory Views on Disabilities May Increase"

Webtoon artist Joo Ho-min (42) has sparked bittersweet feelings among current special education teachers after placing a voice recorder in the backpack of his son, who is on the autism spectrum, before sending him to school.

Jang Eun-mi, chairperson of the National Special Education Teachers' Union and a teacher with 23 years of experience, said on YTN Radio's "Shin Yul's News Face-off" on the 31st of last month, "I feel regretful that (before Mr. Joo placed the recorder in his son's backpack) there was no prior consultation with special education teachers or discussion about what kind of lessons were being conducted in the classroom."

She added, "I do not know exactly what kind of audio was recorded on the device, but it seems that Mr. Joo wanted to replace the special education teacher after listening to the recordings," she speculated.

Webtoon artist Ju Homin. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Chairperson Jang also said, "While voice recorders are not a common occurrence, they are not unheard of either," and added, "It seems that general education teachers perceive this even more shockingly."

She explained, "Some children have difficulty communicating, so parents sometimes send voice recorders to special education classes because they are unsure about how school life is going and feel frustrated. As a parent, I fully understand their feelings, but from a special education teacher's perspective, it is hard to accept that all professional and educational activities, every move and action, are being recorded 24 hours a day." She continued, "It even makes me feel somewhat bitter, as if I am being seen as a potential child abuser."

Regarding the situation where a special education teacher was suspended after being reported for child abuse by Mr. Joo, Chairperson Jang said, "I find it somewhat puzzling. However, this is not something we can judge at the school or local level. Since the decision was made by the Office of Education, I assume there was some direction from them."

Chairperson Jang expressed concern that this incident might lead to prejudice against students with disabilities. She said, "As special education teachers, we fully understand the diversity of disabilities," and added, "Since society still lacks sufficient understanding of disabilities, I worry that incidents like this or related media coverage might foster discriminatory perceptions toward disabilities." In conclusion, she said, "Discriminatory perceptions and prejudices are deeply hurtful to our students, their parents, and special education teachers alike."

Special Education Teacher Who Left School Due to Joo Ho-min's Lawsuit Returns to the Classroom

[Image source=Webtoon artist Ju Homin Instagram]

Earlier, it was revealed late that in September of last year, Mr. Joo filed a police complaint accusing a special education teacher, Mr. A, at an elementary school in Gyeonggi Province of child abuse. Following this, Mr. A was suspended from his position, sparking controversy over infringement of teachers' rights.

On the 26th of last month, Mr. Joo issued a statement saying, "Due to the developmental characteristics of my son, a second-grade elementary student with developmental disabilities, accurate communication was impossible. Since only children with disabilities attend the special education class, there was no way to receive information about the situation, but verification was necessary. The recordings contained situations that were difficult to interpret as mere discipline, and I was greatly shocked."

He added, "Since the related matter is currently under trial, I would appreciate it if you could wait for the court's decision to determine whether the teacher's actions were legitimate discipline or abuse of a child with developmental disabilities."

Meanwhile, the suspended special education teacher, Mr. A, was reinstated as of August 1. Lim Tae-hee, Superintendent of Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, announced on his Facebook account on the 31st of last month, "We have decided to reinstate a special education teacher at an elementary school in Gyeonggi Province who was suspended following a child abuse report filed by a webtoon artist concerning his son with developmental disabilities, effective August 1."

He continued, "Teachers are professionals, but special education teachers possess even deeper expertise. Going forward, the Office of Education will refrain from indiscriminate suspensions of teachers until the facts are clearly established."

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