Yoon Jae-ok "I spoke with the Minister of Education, asking for a lenient stance toward teachers"

Seoicho Teachers' 49th Memorial Ceremony
'Day of Public Education Halt' with Many Teachers Taking Leave and Sick Days
Lee Ju-ho: "Teachers Will Not Be Disciplined"

Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, announced on the 5th that he requested the government to show a lenient stance toward teachers who took leave on the 'Day of Public Education Stop.' The government withdrew its disciplinary policy against teachers, reflecting the ruling party's position.

After the party floor meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Yoon told reporters, "I even spoke with the Minister of Education this morning," and said he asked not to discipline the teachers.

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Ministry of Education had warned on the 27th of last month that teachers who decided on temporary closure for memorial purposes or took leave or sick leave would face collective action or indirect strikes, threatening dismissal, removal, and criminal charges. The Day of Public Education Stop is a day to commemorate the 49th day memorial of a teacher from Seoi Elementary School who passed away in July.

Yoon also attended the memorial service the day before. He said, "Once again, I pray that the deceased rests peacefully in a place without pain," adding, "It is very tragic that within the past few days, three more teachers have taken extreme measures before the pain and sorrow have even subsided." He continued, "Over the past 20 to 30 years, teachers' authority has been thoroughly violated, and the deep frustration among teachers is judged to be worsening day by day," emphasizing, "The political sphere must not delay its response. Related legislation must be expedited as soon as possible."

On the 49th day memorial of the late Seo Elementary School teacher on the 4th, a student and a parent placed flowers and bowed their heads in silence at the memorial altar set up at Seo Elementary School in Seoul. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

He added, "Regarding teachers taking leave for the Day of Public Education Stop yesterday, the People Power Party requested the government to adopt a lenient stance," saying, "There is compassion even in the law. This case is sufficiently exceptional."

Lee Tae-gyu, the secretary of the National Assembly's Education Committee, also said at the meeting that day, "The government may have had difficulties maintaining a principled stance, but both the government and teachers shared the sentiment of mourning the deceased teacher and protecting and restoring teachers' authority," adding, "I understand that the party has already conveyed sufficient intention to understand the teachers' feelings, and in that regard, our party's education committee members attended the memorial rally yesterday."

Lee added, "Teachers demanded that the agreed contents be immediately approved at the Education Committee's bill subcommittee," and said, "If only the opposition cooperates, it will not be difficult to handle this at the September plenary session."

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, shifted his position during the full meeting of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, held from the previous day until early morning of that day, stating, "There will be no disciplinary action against teachers."

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