On Teacher's Day, a Student's Gifted Cake Had to Be Cut into 32 Pieces... Why?

“If You Eat Even a Piece, You Could Get Reported”

Even Cake Parties Raise Concerns Over ‘Improper Solicitation’

An active teacher recently shared a story of how, on Teacher's Day, they divided a cake prepared by their students into 32 pieces and distributed it to the students, without eating any themselves.

On May 14, a post related to Teacher's Day, believed to be written by a current teacher identified as Mr. A, was shared on the social media platform Thread. The post included a photo of a cake cut into numerous small pieces, along with the caption, "This is the reality these days."

Mr. A recalled, "Last year on Teacher's Day, my class surprised me with a cake party. I was moved and touched, but I couldn't eat any of it."

A currently active teacher shared photos claiming that last year on Teacher's Day, when students threw a cake party for them, they said, "I will only accept the thought," and divided the cake into 32 pieces to share with the students. Thread.

Mr. A explained that after telling the students, "Thank you. I will only accept the thought," the cake was divided into 32 pieces to be distributed among the students, matching the class size. Mr. A reflected that the students were disappointed, saying, "Why can't you eat it? That's so cold."

Mr. A emphasized the current reality by releasing a photo of the finely divided cake.

The photo in the post shows the cake cut into very small pieces. The post quickly spread through online communities and social media. Many commented on the post, saying, "Both teachers and students are watching each other warily," and "It's sad that even expressing gratitude has become something to be careful about."

Previously, a banner providing guidance on the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, posted by the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education on the teachers' work portal, sparked controversy. The notice stated that while it is possible for students to voluntarily hold a cake party, it is not allowed for teachers to eat the cake with students or to be given the cake.

According to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, which oversees the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, teachers who evaluate or oversee students, such as homeroom or subject teachers, are deemed to have a job-related connection with students and parents under the law. As a result, they are prohibited from accepting even small gifts.

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