Nationwide Teacher Organizations Demand Justice and Protection Following Tragic Death of Jeju Teacher
On June 14, 2025, three major teacher organizations, including the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (한국교원단체총연합회), the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (전국교직원노동조합), and the Teachers' Labor Union Federation (교사노동조합연맹), gathered near the Government Seoul Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to honor a middle school teacher from Jeju who tragically lost his life amid ongoing complaints from a student's family.
The organizations are calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teacher's death and for the recognition of his passing as a work-related incident.
In a statement, they criticized the Ministry of Education for failing to implement promised changes since the Seoi Elementary School incident, where a teacher also took their own life due to similar pressures. They urged the ministry to establish an online complaint system to prevent teachers from receiving complaints directly on their personal contact information.
Furthermore, they emphasized the need for effective complaint response teams led by school principals, supported adequately by the government and education authorities. They also called for stronger legal protections against malicious complaints, advocating for amendments to the Child Welfare Act and the Child Abuse Punishment Act to safeguard teachers from false allegations.
The tragic incident occurred on May 22, when a male teacher in his 40s was found dead in a storage room at his school. Reports indicate that he had been under significant mental distress due to repeated complaints from a student's family, which affected his ability to eat and function normally.
This rally marks a continuation of efforts to restore teachers' rights and safety, following the Seoi Elementary School incident that sparked widespread concern over the declining status of teachers in South Korea. The Seoi incident involved a teacher's suicide in July of the previous year, igniting a national debate on the issue of teacher welfare and rights.
