Gangwon Superintendent of Education's 'Solo Table Tennis'... It Was the Day of the Teachers' Memorial Rally

Superintendent Shin Gyeong-ho Plays Table Tennis on Large Rally Day
Teachers' Union "Feels Betrayed, Empty, and Humiliated"

On the 2nd, when teachers nationwide held a large-scale memorial rally in front of the National Assembly, Shin Kyungho, Superintendent of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Office of Education, was spotted playing table tennis at a school sports club competition, prompting criticism from teachers' organizations.

On the 3rd, the Gangwon Branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union issued a statement saying, "A video showing Superintendent Shin proudly displaying his table tennis skills amid cheers from those around him was delivered by an anonymous informant," adding, "While teachers from across the country gathered to call for the normalization of public education, the superintendent, who demanded 'steadfastness in protecting the classroom,' was seen enjoying table tennis, which caused feelings of betrayal, emptiness, and humiliation."

Shin Kyungho, Superintendent of Gangwon Provincial Office of Education, playing table tennis.
Photo by G1 Broadcasting

They continued, "The fact that more than half of a single profession gathered in one place indicates the great sorrow and anger felt by teachers and that there are serious problems with the system protecting educational activities," and "Nevertheless, Superintendent Shin did not quietly visit to encourage the competition but showed himself enjoying table tennis and even proudly posted it on his personal SNS," demanding an apology.

The Gangwon Teachers' Labor Union also stated, "On the day teachers tearfully appealed on the asphalt in front of the National Assembly, Superintendent Shin happily playing table tennis shows disregard for the teachers' devastated feelings," urging, "As the head of Gangwon education, he should share the pain of the teachers, apologize to the wounded teachers, and consider ways to protect teachers' rights."

On the 3rd, the Gangwon Branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union issued a statement saying, "A video was delivered by an anonymous informant showing the new superintendent proudly displaying table tennis skills amid cheers from those around him." They condemned, "While teachers nationwide are gathering to call for the normalization of public education, the superintendent who demanded 'steadfastness in protecting the classroom' was seen playing table tennis in high spirits, causing feelings of betrayal, emptiness, and humiliation."
[Photo by G1 Broadcasting]

At the memorial rally on the 2nd, teachers dressed in black from all over the country gathered ahead of the 49th-day memorial service for a teacher from Seoi Elementary School who took their own life, demanding a thorough investigation and the normalization of public education.

On that day, Superintendent Shin visited the school sports club competition held in Hoengseong County to offer encouragement and played table tennis.

The Gangwon Provincial Office of Education did not issue any particular statement regarding the controversy.

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