"Let's Book a Room and Hang Out" ... Changwon Middle School Principal Booked for Forcible Molestation of Female Teacher

South Gyeongsang Education Office: "Suspension and Strict Measures"
Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union South Gyeongsang Branch: "Severe Disciplinary Action Against the Perpetrator"

The police have launched an investigation following a report that a middle school principal in South Gyeongsang Province forcibly molested a newly appointed teacher in her twenties.

According to Masan Jungbu Police Station and the South Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education on November 4, the police have booked Mr. A, a man in his fifties who serves as the principal of a middle school in Changwon, without detention on charges of forcible molestation.

Mr. A is accused of making unwanted physical contact, such as linking arms or holding hands, and making sexually harassing remarks to Ms. B, a newly appointed female teacher in her twenties who had been at the school for about a month since her assignment in April.

Ms. B, the victim, reported the incident to the police in September. It has been reported that Mr. A partially denies the allegations.

Yonhap News Agency

In response, the South Gyeongsang Branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union issued a statement on the same day, claiming, "Mr. A committed sexual harassment by saying things like, 'Let's hang out together until you get a boyfriend,' and suggesting they book a room and spend time together during an overnight training in Haeundae. He repeatedly pressured Ms. B to link arms, and when she refused, he forcibly made unwanted physical contact."

The union added, "The victim is suffering from extreme psychological shock, depression, and anxiety disorder, is undergoing psychiatric treatment, and ultimately had to take sick leave. The teaching career she had dreamed of turned into a nightmare in just one month."

The branch further stated, "If the perpetrator is treated leniently, it is no different from the education office and the police condoning sexual violence and neglecting crimes of abuse of power," and called for a thorough investigation, strict punishment, and severe disciplinary action against the principal.

The South Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education announced that Principal A was suspended from his position on October 1 in connection with this incident.

The provincial office stated, "We recognize this matter as extremely serious and are prioritizing strict measures against the perpetrator and protection of the victim, rigorously following all related procedures. The principal will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with subsequent audits and procedures."

They added, "Based on the victim's wishes, we have approved leave for treatment and recuperation, separated the victim and perpetrator, and conducted an investigation involving an external expert at the director level from a sexual violence counseling center. To aid recovery and prevent recurrence, we are providing psychological counseling, financial support for treatment, and referrals to specialized institutions. We also plan to further strengthen customized sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention education for administrators and school culture improvement activities."

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