South Korean educators protest in throngs after teacher’s suicide

A South Korean teacher, who taught first grade at Seoi elementary school in Seoul, committed suicide on July 18. After launching an investigation, education authorities revealed that a dispute between two students could have played a factor in the teacher’s death. The parents of both students involved had attended a meeting with the teacher. Afterwards, she had received “multiple phone calls” from one parent, and had felt “uncomfortable and anxious about how the parent found out their personal mobile number,” he said.

This is just one such incident. South Korean government data shows that 100 public school teachers, mostly teaching elementary schools, committed suicide between January 2018 and June 2023. While the causes for these deaths have not been explained, suicides by teachers is a growing crisis in South Korean education system, that most attribute to a controversial child abuse law introduced in 2014.

Family ‘terrified’ by killer’s escape from US jail

Under this law, anyone suspecting child abuse can report it to the authorities without providing evidence. This not only putts teachers at risk of being unfairly targeted by parents but also subject them to a constant fear of job insecurity. The law’s vague standards have also inhibited teachers’ ability to maintain discipline in the classroom.

Seoi’s teacher’s death has proved to be a tipping point, leading to hundreds of thousands of teachers coming out to participate in mass protests. Approximately 200,000 protesters joined a rally, with another 50,000 teachers stopping work and gathering in the capital to commemorate the deceased teacher, despite initial warnings from authorities that the strike would be considered illegal.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Getty Images (@gettyimages)

Angry teachers are demanding legal reforms and increased protection, claiming they are subjected to excessive demands and even harassment from displeased parents. They emphasize the need to protect teachers and prevent further tragedies. Mental health issues in South Korea, as well as long-standing criticisms of its rigorous education system, have contributed to this growing concern.

A survey by the Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations revealed that only 23.6 percent of teachers in South Korea expressed satisfaction with their teaching jobs, marking an all-time low compared to nearly 68 percent in 2007.

South Korea has the highest suicide rate among OECD nations, with a particular increase in rates among teenagers and young adults in their 20s, largely attributed to the intense pressure of education. Many Korean students attend regular school and then additional private cram schools, leading to high levels of stress among both students and parents.