Despite Disciplinary Pressure, Large-Scale Teacher Rally... Ministry of Education Withdraws 'Disciplinary Review'

Teacher Memorial Fever Followed by Another Teacher Death
'Disciplinary Criticism' Silenced but Anger Continues

The Ministry of Education announced on the 5th that it will not discipline teachers who took sick leave or annual leave to attend the September 4th rally. Previously, the Ministry had stated it would respond strictly to the collective actions of teachers, but it appears to have changed its stance as the atmosphere of mourning among teachers and critical public opinion intensified.

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, expressed this position at the full session of the National Assembly's Budget and Accounts Special Committee the day before. In response to a related question from Kang Hoon-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee stated, "We will not consider disciplining teachers who participated in the memorial service."

On August 27th, the Ministry of Education issued a statement saying it would "take strict measures according to law and principles" regarding teachers' participation in the 49th-day memorial rally for the deceased teacher at Seoi Elementary School. The Ministry's position was that temporary school closures or collective teacher leave to attend rallies violated the State Public Officials Act, allowing for disciplinary actions up to dismissal or removal. On September 3rd, Minister Lee even issued an appeal to teachers to "protect the schools." During the regular briefing on the morning of the 4th, the Ministry maintained its stance that "although the number of teachers participating in the rally has increased, the Ministry's principle has not changed."

In response, voices criticizing the Ministry's pressure tactics emerged. The Federation of Korean Teachers' Unions argued that "the Ministry of Education should have conveyed 'empathy and consolation' for the restoration of public education, not 'discipline' for the halt of public education."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

It is analyzed that the Ministry's change in response policy within a day was influenced by the heightened atmosphere of mourning. On the weekend of September 2nd, ahead of the 49th-day memorial for the deceased teacher at Seoi Elementary School in Seoul, the '500,000 Teachers' General Rally Memorial' was held, with the organizers estimating 200,000 attendees. Subsequently, on the 4th, a weekday, the rally drew an estimated 50,000 participants. Notably, many teachers designated the 4th as a 'Day of Public Education Halt' and joined the mourning through annual leave, sick leave, or discretionary leave.

Moreover, since the death of the Seoi Elementary School teacher in July, several teachers have recently taken their own lives, highlighting the need for the Ministry of Education to calm the situation. The recent deaths of three teachers in Gyeonggi and Jeonbuk provinces over the past four days have brought the issue of teacher rights violations to the forefront.

With weekend rallies by teachers expected to continue for the time being, the Ministry of Education is likely to expedite measures to protect teacher rights. A Ministry official stated on the 5th, "Ministry staff are doing their best to faithfully implement teacher rights restoration measures and to expedite legislation." In this regard, the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations called it "a decision that accepted the passionate mourning and heartfelt cries from the field," urging, "Prepare follow-up measures to eliminate the anxiety of teachers on the ground and to ensure full protection of teacher rights."

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