Despite the Heatwave, 50,000 Teachers Take to the Streets for 3 Weeks... United in Demanding "Truth Investigation"

Teachers Nationwide Gather in Front of Government Seoul Office
Bereaved Family of Seoicho Teacher Also Attends Rally

On the 18th of last month, following the death of a teacher at Seoi Elementary School, teachers nationwide have continued voluntary gatherings, holding their third rally despite the heatwave.

At 2 p.m. on the 5th, 'Jeon-guk Gyosa Ildong,' a group of teachers from across the country, held a rally titled 'Securing the Right to Education for Teachers and Students' in front of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Approximately 50,000 teachers dressed in black (estimated by the organizers) participated. Filling all five lanes of Sajik-ro, the teachers remained steadfast despite the extreme heat warning with daytime temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius, demanding a thorough investigation into the death of the Seoi Elementary School teacher and measures to establish teachers' authority.

At the rally held on the 5th to secure educational rights for teachers and students, participants are holding signs that read "Demanding Truth Investigation of Seoi Elementary School" and shouting slogans.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The family of the Seoi Elementary School teacher also attended the rally. The late teacher’s cousin, Mr. A, choked back tears as he led the chant, "We demand a thorough investigation of Seoi Elementary!" He pleaded, "Please investigate the truth behind my sibling’s unjust situation," and tearfully appealed, "Please ensure this does not happen again. Reveal the injustice."

Mr. A said, "Not only himself but whenever his fellow teachers faced hardships, my sibling suffered and trembled as if it were his own matter," adding, "I saw a sense of anxiety and helplessness in many records left behind, as if it could happen to him someday." He continued, "Please investigate not only specific issues but various fields," and tearfully urged, "I humbly ask you to reflect on the cases of many fellow teachers and create a proper investigation and preventive measures."

Not only regular teachers but also vice principals and principals attended the rally, with about ten current elementary school principals stepping onto the stage to show their support.

Mr. Yang Dong-jun, an elementary school principal from Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, who spoke on the stage, said, "175 principals from across the country share the same heart," and added, "We will join the teachers’ earnest cries and actions to reclaim the right to teach as teachers and to strive for the healthy growth of children."

Through a statement, the nationwide teachers’ group called for ▲ investigation and truth-finding regarding the Seoi Elementary School teacher’s death, ▲ enactment of a special law to protect educational activities, ▲ establishment of a unified complaint window, and ▲ creation of a system to respond to class disruptions.

As with previous rallies, teachers from all over the country participated in this event. The organizers reported that about 2,700 teachers from non-metropolitan areas traveled to Seoul by chartering 80 buses. While the second rally held last Saturday gathered about 30,000 teachers (estimated by the organizers), this rally saw an increase of 20,000 participants despite the heatwave.

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