A video of an elementary school teacher venting, saying "Do not force field trips," in front of Minister Choi Kyo-jin of the Ministry of Education surpassed 6 million views four days after it was posted.
On the 8th, a one-minute video titled "The real reason teachers avoid field trips" was posted on the YouTube channel of the Elementary School Teachers' Labor Union. As of the morning of the 12th, the video had surpassed 6.45 million views.
The video shows Chairperson Kang Seok-jo of the elementary teachers' union speaking at the "roundtable for a safe field trip" hosted by the Ministry of Education on the 7th.
Introducing themself as "a teacher who was so dedicated that they went on field trips eight times a year," Chairperson Kang said, "I want to learn a lot with the students," but added, "On Nov. 14, 2025, a colleague was convicted. In this situation, how can we go on field trips?"
Earlier, in connection with the death of an elementary school student who was hit by a bus during a field trip in Sokcho in Nov. 2022, the court found there was occupational negligence and returned guilty verdicts in both the first and second trials. However, it overturned the original ruling of six months in prison suspended for two years handed down in the first trial and rendered a stay of execution for six months in prison.
Chairperson Kang also questioned the Ministry of Education's plan that "if preemptive safety measures are fully taken, legal protection can be provided," asking, "What is the standard for preemptive safety measures?" and arguing, "If a teacher has no intent, immunity must be guaranteed."
The current Act on the Prevention of and Compensation for School Safety Accidents (School Safety Act) stipulates that "when principals, faculty, and staff have fulfilled their duty to take safety measures for students, they do not bear civil or criminal liability for school safety accidents."
Chairperson Kang said that in addition to legal burdens, complaints from parents are also a reason teachers avoid field trips. Kang said complaints are repeated such as, "Why do you go so far on a field trip and make them get carsick?" "Since this student is close to mine, please assign them to the same group," and "You took 200 photos, so why does my child have only five?"
Kang raised their voice to Minister Choi and parents, asking, "Can the Minister of Education resolve these complaints?" and "Parents, will you refrain from filing complaints?"
Kang went on to say, "Please do not force our field trips," and, "Please create an environment where we can go on our own," venting frustration.