Elementary School Bullying: Parents Also Responsible... Court Orders 13 Million Won Compensation to Victim

In a lawsuit filed by a school violence victim against the parents of the offending student, the court ruled that "those responsible for supervising their children are liable for damages."

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According to the Korea Legal Aid Corporation on the 15th, on the 9th, Judge Jeong Do-young of the Daejeon District Court ruled in a damages claim lawsuit filed by Mr. A against C and D, the parents of the offending student, ordering "C and others to pay Mr. A a total of 13,139,831 KRW, including 10 million KRW in consolation money."

Earlier, around March 2022, Mr. A was bullied by Mr. B, a classmate in the same elementary school class, including acts such as pulling his hair, hitting the back of his head, and choking. Around May 2022, Mr. A suffered damage such as broken teeth after being hit in the face by a shoe bag swung by Mr. B. The School Violence Review Committee decided on measures against the offending student Mr. B, including 6 hours of school service and 4 hours of special education.

Despite the School Violence Review Committee recognizing the school violence, the parents of the offending student, C and D, refused to settle the damages claim and did not compensate for Mr. A’s dental treatment costs or other damages. Consequently, Mr. A’s parents sought assistance from the Korea Legal Aid Corporation to receive compensation.

The Corporation claimed approximately 13.13 million KRW, including 10 million KRW in consolation money, against the offending student’s parents, C and D. The court accepted all of the Corporation’s claims and ruled that "C and D, as guardians of Mr. B, who have the duty to supervise him, are responsible for compensating the damages suffered by Mr. A."

Mr. Bae Moon-hyung, a lawyer at the Korea Legal Aid Corporation and legal representative of Mr. A, explained, "If the victim of school violence cannot reach a settlement with the offending student, it is possible to file a damages claim lawsuit with the assistance of the Korea Legal Aid Corporation. Even if the offending student is a minor and may not be directly liable for damages, their parents can be held responsible for compensation, which can include not only medical expenses but also additional damages such as consolation money." He added, "From the offending student’s side, it is more advantageous to apologize to the victim and attempt an amicable settlement rather than face a court ruling."

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