'1-Year Contract Renewal' Half of School Art Instructors Report "Experiencing Sexual Harassment and Power Abuse... Unable to Report"

347 Cases of Human Rights Violations Including Sexual Assault... 6 Reports
Assemblyman Kim Yoon-duk "Need to Improve Grievance Handling System for Art Instructors"

As social attention focuses on the issue of teachers' authority, it has been revealed that school arts instructors are experiencing serious human rights violations.

According to data submitted by the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service to Kim Yoon-duk, a member of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, a survey on the human rights status of school arts instructors conducted last year showed that 53% (347 out of 648 respondents) reported experiencing sexual harassment, sexual violence, or abuse of power.

Among the respondents, 23.9% answered that they had experienced unpleasant sexual remarks or evaluations related to their appearance. Those who reported experiencing inappropriate physical contact such as physical closeness, massages, or kisses accounted for 18.7%.

Additionally, 9.8% responded that they had been forced into private meetings or sexual relations, and 16.2% reported being instructed to perform personal errands unrelated to their work.

Table of the Human Rights Survey on School Art Instructors Conducted Last Year. Among 648 respondents, 53% (347 people) reported having experienced sexual harassment, sexual violence, abuse of power, or similar incidents. [Data provided by the office of Assemblyman Kim Yoon-duk]

However, only 6 cases (4.6%) were officially reported as complaints. Due to the insecure status of school arts instructors who must renew their contracts annually, many victims are unable to even voice their grievances.

Representative Kim pointed out, "The Korea Arts & Culture Education Service is responsible for managing school arts instructors, but the current grievance handling system is inadequate and unrealistic. The Service must take responsibility and conduct a comprehensive investigation into human rights violations against instructors and prepare improvement measures based on the findings."

He further demanded, "The reason for the 50% budget cut in cultural arts education next year must be clarified, and to prevent the deterioration of school arts instructors' working conditions, the budget should be restored to at least last year's level."

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