The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has launched an investigation into an incident where a 3rd-year student assaulted a teacher during class at a high school in Seoul.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education noted that the Emergency Team for Protecting Educational Activities from the Gangseo-Yangcheon Education Support Office, which oversees the school, visited the school on the 11th to conduct a consultation scholarship, including an investigation into the matter.
Earlier, around 10 a.m. the previous day, a male 3rd-year student at A High School in Shinjeong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, struck the female teacher in the face with his hand holding a mobile phone during class. It was reported that the student behaved this way after the teacher pointed out that he was playing games on his phone during class. The incident was captured by classmates and the video spread online.
The student was separated from the class that day. The teacher left early for medical treatment and has been on special leave since then. It was determined that this student is not a recipient of special education.
An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said, "Even if the student attends school, measures will be taken to separate him from the teachers," adding, "We will hold a local Teacher Rights Protection Committee (TRPC) soon and take action according to the procedure." The official continued, "Given the seriousness of the matter, we decided to prioritize it over other TRPC agenda items currently pending within the supervising authority."
Meanwhile, Jeong Geun-sik, the superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, posted on his Facebook that "a tragic incident has occurred" and expressed "deep regret with a heavy heart." He stated that "the recovery of the teacher is the top priority" and pledged that "the office will provide the utmost support for the teacher's swift recovery."
Superintendent Jeong noted, "There is still a long way to go to realize a school where teachers can teach with pride and their rights are firmly guaranteed," adding, "We will make further efforts to uphold teachers' rights."