Third Grader's Parent Who Slapped Vice Principal Says, "Was It One-Sided Assault? Truth Must Be Determined"

Controversy has arisen after a video showing a third-grade student slapping the vice principal at an elementary school in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, was released. The student's parents claim that prejudice and discrimination against their son are the root causes of the incident.

The mother of third-grade student A said in an interview with Jeonju Broadcasting (JTV) on the 5th, "Of course, as a parent, it is devastating that my child hit an adult," but added, "There is a possibility to discern the truth." She continued, "I don't think it can be assumed that 'the child hit the teacher unilaterally'." She argued that A would not have assaulted the teacher without any reason.

Earlier, the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union stated on the 3rd that A repeatedly slapped the vice principal, who was trying to prevent him from leaving school without permission, while verbally abusing and cursing him harshly. A told the vice principal to "go to jail" and called him a "gaeXX" (a derogatory term). Additionally, A spat on the vice principal, said "Yeah, I spat on you," and even bit his forearm. The vice principal did not respond and just stood with his hands behind his back while being hit.

[Image source=Jeonbuk Teachers' Union]

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The school stated that A ultimately left the school without permission that day. Although A’s mother later came to the school, she reportedly assaulted the homeroom teacher instead of apologizing. The homeroom teacher has filed a police complaint against A’s mother for assault. Furthermore, the school imposed a 10-day suspension on A.

It was found that A had caused disturbances several times at another school in the province, transferred to a school in the Incheon area, and then transferred to this school last month. Parents of classmates have requested the school to separate A from others, citing that he causes trouble in the classroom and bullies friends. The school and the Jeonju Office of Education requested family guidance for A’s family for these reasons, but it was repeatedly refused.

[Image source=Jeonbuk Teachers' Union]

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The vice principal who was hit by A said, "The burden of having touched a student always remains in my mind, so I felt a great sense of helplessness that education could not be carried out."

Meanwhile, the Jeonju Office of Education reported A’s parents to the police on charges of "child abuse due to educational neglect." The provincial education office explained that treatment for A is possible even without parental consent if child abuse is confirmed. The provincial education office plans to persuade the parents to support A’s counseling and psychological treatment. Additionally, they will assist with psychological treatment and healing for the affected teachers and promote psychological counseling for A’s classmates as well.

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