Elementary School Teacher Who Grabbed 9-Year-Old Student by the Collar for Saying "So What" Sentenced to Prison

An elementary school teacher who threatened to grab and hit a 9-year-old student for talking back was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial.

On the 1st, the Ulsan District Court Criminal Division 3 (Presiding Judge Lee Jae-wook) announced that it sentenced teacher A, in his 50s, who was tried for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, to 8 months in prison with a 2-year suspension. Additionally, a 2-year employment ban at child-related institutions was ordered.

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A, a physical education teacher at an elementary school in Ulsan, saw B, a lower-grade elementary student, throwing a stone during a fight with another student on the school playground in the second semester of 2022. A intervened, but when B talked back saying "So what?", A became angry, grabbed B by the collar, and dragged him toward the classroom building. After B shook off A's hand and entered the classroom crying to sit down, A followed, kicked B's chair with his foot, and threatened to hit him with his hand. Although B's homeroom teacher was present in the classroom at the time, A acted in this manner, and after the homeroom teacher checked B's condition and reported it, an investigation was conducted.

During the trial, A claimed, "I did not grab B by the collar or kick the chair; I only acted for disciplinary purposes." However, the court rejected A's claim based on the fact that B, despite being a young student, consistently testified about the abuse, and other students who witnessed the situation gave similar statements. The court also judged that even if B's attitude and behavior were problematic, the teacher's failure to control his emotions and physically abuse B in front of other students and teachers exceeded the scope of discipline.

The court pointed out, "The defendant instead claimed infringement of teacher's authority and did not apologize to the victim child and guardians," adding, "Parents are petitioning for severe punishment." Regarding sentencing, the court explained, "Considering the defendant's age and motive for the crime, the sentence was set lower than the recommended sentencing guidelines." The court further added, "Given the defendant's usual educational attitude and behavior after this incident, it is necessary to restrict employment at child-related institutions for a certain period."

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