Chungnam Provincial Council Member and KTU Clash Over Impeachment Broadcast Viewing During Elementary School Class

People Power Party's Bang Hanil Requests Related Data from Office of Education
JeonGyoJo Protests: "Infringement of Teaching Rights Using Council Member Status"

The Chungnam Branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union held a press conference at the Chungnam Provincial Government Press Center on the 10th and issued a statement of condemnation. (Provided by the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union Chungnam Branch)

A conflict has arisen between the provincial council and the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (JeonGyoJo) over the viewing of the presidential impeachment verdict broadcast during class at an elementary school in the Chungnam region.

When Bang Hanil, a member of the People Power Party, requested data from the Office of Education regarding the status of schools that watched the impeachment verdict broadcast, JeonGyoJo protested, claiming it was an "infringement of teaching rights."

As JeonGyoJo threatened to file a complaint against Bang, the People Power Party countered, stating that it was a "legitimate right of the local council to request materials," deepening the conflict.

The Chungnam branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union held a press conference at the provincial government press center on the morning of the 10th, urging Bang to withdraw his recent official request for information sent to the Office of Education.

Branch chief Oh Sumin stated, "It is inappropriate for a provincial council member to try to identify schools that viewed the broadcast while students are being educated according to the law," and added, "He should apologize for using his position to control and infringe upon teachers' teaching rights and withdraw his request for information."

Previously, on the 2nd, the Chungnam Office of Education sent an official notice to about 750 elementary, middle, and high schools in the province, stating, "Since the Constitutional Court's live TV broadcast of the presidential impeachment verdict is scheduled, please utilize it as part of democratic citizenship education so that students can learn about democratic procedures."

It was later reported that on the day of the verdict, the 4th, many elementary schools watched the impeachment verdict broadcast.

A JeonGyoJo representative said, "Watching the impeachment verdict broadcast was designed as democratic citizenship education to help students experience the spirit of the Constitution and the principles of democracy in action," and added, "We condemn the provincial council member's attempt to censor teachers' classes, as they have no authority over classroom supervision."

JeonGyoJo announced that they would file a police complaint against Bang for infringing on teachers' rights and abuse of authority.

In response, Bang and the People Power Party held a press conference later that afternoon, arguing that they had only exercised the legitimate authority of the local council.

Bang stated, "As a member of the Education Committee, I have the right and duty to review all matters under the jurisdiction of the Office of Education for the development of education in Chungnam," and added, "It is unreasonable to claim that the unique right of the local council to request materials constitutes an infringement of teachers' rights."

He further stated, "I cannot help but express deep regret, even outrage, at the attempt to turn a council member's right to request information into a target for protest without understanding its true nature."

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