"‘Hakpok’ Victim Complains About Investigation Results, Attempts Arson at Education Office"

When "Insufficient Evidence" Is Declared, Family Brings Gasoline

A high school student’s father reported that his son was a victim of school violence, but dissatisfied with the investigation result by the Office of Education’s School Violence Committee (Hakpokwi) stating that it was 'not school violence,' the family attempted arson at the education office building and will now face trial.

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On the 22nd, at the Chuncheon District Court Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Judge Lee Young-jin), during the sentencing hearing for Mr. A (58) on charges including special intimidation and attempted arson of a public building, the prosecution requested a five-year prison sentence.

For his wife (48), who was also indicted, the prosecution requested a three-year prison sentence, and for his daughter (20), a one-year prison sentence. For the eldest son (18), a minor, they requested an indeterminate sentence of two years as the maximum term and one year as the minimum term, and for the younger son (17), an indeterminate sentence of one year and six months as the maximum term and one year as the minimum term.

Earlier, on June 16, Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of attempting to set fire to the Chuncheon Office of Education building with 1.5 liters of gasoline and seven lighters, together with his wife and four children.

They also obstructed official duties by spraying gasoline on five police officers who tried to stop them. During this process, some family members doused their clothes with gasoline and confronted the police as if they were going to self-immolate, but it did not actually lead to self-immolation.

The family had reported a teacher on April 19 at a high school’s student life education office in the province, claiming that the younger son was subjected to violence by a life guidance teacher.

In response, the Chuncheon Office of Education separated the two individuals and held a School Violence Committee meeting on the 13th to review whether the case constituted school violence. The result concluded that it was not a school violence case due to 'insufficient evidence.'

At that time, the Chuncheon Office of Education held an emergency briefing at the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Office of Education, stating, "Based on testimonies from students, teachers, and other witnesses, as well as reports, there is insufficient evidence that the teacher hit the student."

The Chuncheon Office of Education notified Mr. A’s family of the School Violence Committee’s decision the next day and also informed them of the appeal procedures. However, dissatisfied with the result, Mr. A’s family made protest calls threatening self-immolation and attempted arson at the education office building.

It is reported that Mr. A and others admitted all charges related to the incident from the first trial through the sentencing hearing.

In his final statement, Mr. A said, "As the head of a family, I deeply regret losing my composure and causing trouble in front of my children. I am ashamed that I did not resolve this wisely and peacefully through dialogue until the end and lead by example."

The rest of the family also acknowledged their wrongdoing and asked for leniency. The first trial sentencing hearing will be held on the 22nd of next month at the Chuncheon District Court.

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