"Be Quiet" Abusive Remarks... Gwangju Elementary Principal Faces Human Rights Violation Controversy

Parents: "An Affront to Dignity, Constitutes Child Abuse"
KTU: "Calls for Suspension and Thorough Investigation"
City Education Office: "Reviewing Psychological Support and Further Measures"

The principal of an elementary school in Gwangju has come under fire from students and parents for using abusive language and displaying an overbearing attitude toward students. Critics have pointed out that the principal's remarks amounted to an infringement on the dignity of children, and there has been ongoing criticism regarding the response of the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education.

Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education.

According to the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education and the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) on July 24, it was confirmed that during the second week of July, the principal made remarks to some students in the cafeteria and elsewhere such as "You are not human," "You lack understanding," "You lack social skills," and "You have not been properly raised at home." When a student tried to raise their hand to express an opinion, the principal reportedly responded with phrases like "Be quiet," "Put your hand down," and "That is none of my business."

The KTU reported that some students have expressed emotional distress and confusion, saying, "I don't know why I was spoken to like that," and "I was afraid of the principal's office." There have also been claims that the principal's remarks infringed on students' rights to learn and express themselves, and that the actions effectively constituted child abuse.

Parents immediately filed complaints with the city education office, but it was reported that the office focused only on communicating with the principal, who was the perpetrator, and did not reach out to the affected students. Some parents also claimed that the education office even suggested that they withdraw their complaints.

On the previous day, the Gwangju branch of the KTU issued a statement saying, "The education office is neglecting the problem and is even forcing the victims into silence," and demanded that "the principal in question be immediately suspended from duty and that a thorough investigation, including statements from students, be conducted." The union also added that "counseling and healing programs for student protection and emotional recovery should be implemented in parallel."

The city education office stated, "We recognize the seriousness of the issues revealed by Principal A, including causing parental complaints and a lack of leadership within the organization," and added, "We are reviewing future measures, and we will provide individual and group counseling, as well as psychological and emotional support programs, for the affected students."

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