Webtoon Artist Joo Ho-min Addresses Misunderstandings Following Teacher's Acquittal

Webtoon artist Joo Ho-min has spoken out regarding the recent acquittal of a special education teacher accused of abusing his son. In a YouTube video posted on June 10, Joo expressed his intention to clarify misconceptions surrounding the case after the teacher was found not guilty in a second trial. He noted that many people interpreted the ruling as the court deeming the teacher's actions as legitimate educational practices rather than abuse. Joo stated, 'This is not true.' He explained that the second trial did not assess whether the teacher's comments constituted abuse, as the evidence was deemed inadmissible under the Communications Privacy Protection Act. Joo emphasized that the court ruled the evidence was illegally obtained, leading to a verdict without a thorough examination of the facts. He criticized the narrative that the teacher's actions were validated as proper educational conduct, calling it a clear distortion of the truth. Joo raised concerns about the broader implications of the ruling, questioning how society can protect vulnerable individuals, such as those with developmental disabilities or elderly residents in care facilities, if their abuse goes unrecognized in court. He expressed hope that the Supreme Court would reconsider the case, highlighting its significance for future protections of marginalized voices. The teacher, referred to as A, was acquitted by the Suwon District Court on May 13, with the court ruling that recordings made by the child's mother during class were inadmissible as they violated privacy laws. Joo acknowledged the court's decision, stating that while it was not the outcome he desired, he would respect it and focus on supporting his family during this time.