The Growing Concern: Why South Korean Teachers Fear their Students and Parents

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In the midst of classroom conflicts at Kang Hyeon-joos elementary school, her heart would race uncontrollably, making it difficult for her to breathe and causing blurred vision.

Recalling the incident, she described a chaotic scene of punches being thrown, faces being kicked, and chairs and tables being hurled. She mentioned that she had sustained injuries while attempting to intervene.

Over a span of two years, Kang faced difficulties in maintaining discipline among her students, and had to contend with the negative reactions from parents when she tried to address the issue. According to her, her principal provided no assistance and would dismissively advise her to "take a week off".

The strain had a devastating impact. Kang confessed to experiencing intrusive thoughts of throwing herself in front of a bus, hoping for some relief. She even contemplated jumping off a tall building as a means to find peace. While Kang is currently on sick leave, countless others have shared similar experiences.

Tens of thousands of teachers have been demanding increased security measures from students and parents in recent months. In a noteworthy protest in Seoul last month, organizers reported a turnout of 200,000 individuals, compelling the government to acknowledge the situation and respond.

Kang Hyeon-joo is currently on sick leave.

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The catalyst

Following the tragic suicide of a young first-grade teacher in Seoul, the teaching staff of the country has come together in unity. Although the police have mentioned a problematic student and parental pressure as potential factors, the definitive reason for her suicide remains uncertain.

Since July, there have been additional instances of teachers tragically taking their own lives, with some cases allegedly connected to the stress of their work, as reported by both colleagues of the deceased and their grieving families. According to government data, 100 public school teachers committed suicide between January 2018 and June 2023, and within the first six months of this year alone, 11 of them took their lives. However, the data does not provide insight into the factors that may have contributed to these deaths.

The protests caught many people off guard, according to Sung Youl-kwan, an education professor at Kyung Hee University. He believes that there is a sense of vulnerability among individuals, as they feel that they could also be affected.

Teachers are attributing their inability to discipline students to a child abuse law implemented in 2014, which was originally intended to safeguard children. They express fear of potential lawsuits from a small number of parents who claim emotional distress on behalf of their child, which results in a lengthy legal process.

"School serves as the final frontier where students become aware of acceptable norms in society and distinguish them from what is deemed unacceptable. However, our ability to educate them is hampered by the fear of potential accusations," expressed Ahn Ji-hye, an elementary school teacher actively involved in coordinating past demonstrations.

Ahn recounts receiving persistent calls from parents on her mobile phone, beginning as early as 6 a.m. and spanning until 11 p.m., seeking discussions about their children or lodging complaints.

On September 4, 2023, mourners gathered at an elementary school in Seoul to pay their respects and lay flowers at a memorial altar. The altar was dedicated to an elementary school teacher who tragically passed away in what appears to be a suicide in July.

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Is this the solution?

South Korea's education minister, Lee Ju-ho, initially cautioned teachers that a mass strike would be unlawful. However, this stance was quickly reversed, and on September 21, the National Assembly passed a set of legal revisions in a remarkable display of efficiency.

One of the significant amendments entails granting teachers certain safeguards against being sued for child abuse if their disciplinary actions are deemed legitimate educational activities. Additionally, the principal has now assumed the responsibility of managing school complaints and lawsuits filed by parents.

"The school principal has traditionally delegated these responsibilities to teachers," Professor Sung noted.

Under the new legislation, teachers' personal information, including their mobile phone numbers, will be safeguarded. Moreover, parents will be required to voice their concerns or lodge complaints with the school administration rather than directly approaching the teacher.

Hwang Ji-sun

Courtesy Hwang Ji-sun

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Ahn stated in the past that parents would go to the parking lot and find her personal phone number displayed on her car's windscreen if she didn't give it to them directly. They would then proceed to send her text messages. Ahn considers the recent legal changes as "meaningful", but emphasizes the importance of revising higher-level laws such as the Child Welfare Act and Child Abuse Punishment Act. She points out that these laws still allow teachers to be reported based solely on suspicion.

She asserts that, currently, the demonstrations will persist. There is a scheduled protest taking place outside the National Assembly on October 28. Ahn expresses her desire to establish penalties for parents who unjustly accuse teachers and implement practical solutions to ensure the smooth implementation of mandated changes in classrooms. This may involve relocating unruly students to enable uninterrupted teaching.

Professor Sung believes the revisions will help in the short term, but cautions that the law should be seen as a safety net not a solution.

South Korean teachers rally in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on September 4.

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A problem of law or culture?

According to critics, academic success is given an exaggerated significance in South Korean society. Consequently, it is no wonder that parents exert immense pressure on teachers and the education system as a whole.

Attending a hagwon, also known as a cram school, has become the standard practice for students after their regular school hours. It is not considered an optional extra, but rather an essential and costly necessity for achieving success.

During the national college entrance exam, referred to as Suneung in Korean, strict measures are put in place to minimize disturbances for the students taking the exams. This includes the suspension of airplane activities and the adjustment of commuting hours.

Sung pointed out that in our society, it is common for parents to have only one child and dedicate all their financial resources and opportunities to that child. This intense focus on education, often driven by the desire for a high score or exceptional achievement, creates a challenging environment for teachers who face the pressure from these parents.

Mourners pass funeral wreaths in front of an elementary school in Seoul on September 4, following the apparent suicide of a teacher in July.

Sung argues that the era when teachers commanded unwavering respect is now a thing of the past, not only in South Korea, but also in other parts of the world. Moreover, the relationship between teachers and parents has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade or two.

"In the realm of educational policies, parents are viewed as consumers, possessing consumer sovereignty, while schools and teachers are seen as service providers," he mentioned, further expressing that parents firmly believe in their entitlement to make various demands from schools.

In a nation where education is widely recognized as pivotal for achieving success, teacher morale remains at a low level. Findings from a survey conducted by the Federation of Teachers Labor Union in April indicated that 26.5% of teachers surveyed had sought counseling or received treatment for psychological concerns related to their profession. Additionally, a staggering 87% admitted to contemplating changing jobs or resigning within the past year.