Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Caracas: The United States attacks another alleged drug-trafficking ship off the coast of Colombia in the Pacific Ocean
Palestinian official urges world to force 'Israel' to comply with ICJ ruling: AFP
Israeli media says Knesset approved bill to annex in West Bank in preliminary reading
Kremlin: As part of strategic nuclear force exercise, Cruiser Bryansk launched Sineva ballistic missile from Barents Sea.
Kremlin: Yars Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome at Kura test site in Kamchatka.
Kremlin: Strategic nuclear forces exercise took place under Putin's leadership.
Lebanese MP Imad Al-Hout, following his meeting with the Grand Mufti of the Republic: Lebanon is the last country to move toward peace and normalization [with "Israel"]
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One martyr reported in Israeli drone strike targeting motorcycle in Ain Qana.
Israeli media: Sirens sound in Nahal Oz settlement in Gaza Envelope.
Syria: Local sources report that General Security forces targeted the camp of French fighters from the 'al-Ghuraba division' in the Idlib countryside with mortar and tank shells.

S.Korea teachers rally against bullying, violence by parents, students

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Guardian
  • 4 Sep 2023 17:29
3 Min Read

This movement comes following the death of a 23-year-old elementary school teacher in July in an apparent suicide after complaining of anxiety due to abusive parents.

  • x
  • South Korea
    Teachers attend a rally in Seoul, South Korea, calling for better rights for teaching staff and mourning colleagues who have died by suicide on Sunday, September 3, 2023 (AFP)

South Korea witnessed a mass walkout by educators as a result of demanding parents and uncontrolled students, as some teachers have taken their own lives as a result. 

Approximately 15,000 people wearing black clothing attended on Monday outside the national assembly in Seoul with tears shed as speeches were read aloud. Calls for better protection for teachers have been increasing amid outrage about the mistreatment of staff and having to face accusations of child abuse for disciplining their students. In the meantime, the problem of bullying and violence among students in the country has been well-documented. 

An elementary school teacher named Koh told The Guardian, “Teacher rights are just as important as student rights. We too are being bullied by parents and students, and this must stop.”

Some schools were reportedly temporarily closed on Monday due to the rally and missing teachers as well, despite the fact that authorities declared their actions were against the law and threatened legal consequences.

Read more: Seoul subsidizes egg-freezing in battle against plummeting birthrate

Kim, who came to Seoul for support, added, “Teachers are instrumental in shaping the future of our children. Schools are supposed to be safe, and not places where teachers are abused.”

Related News

OpenAI adds parental controls after teen suicide linked to ChatGPT

OpenAI sued after ChatGPT 'encouraged' teen to commit suicide

100 suicides in two months

This movement was launched after the death of a 23-year-old elementary school teacher in July in an apparent suicide after complaining of anxiety due to abusive parents of students. Vigils and demonstrations every weekend have been held to mourn her death. 

Monday marked the 49th day since her passing, which is an important day in funeral rites as per many Buddhist traditions. Reports have been releasing news of other apparent teacher suicides recently. 

Among developed countries, South Korea records the highest rate of suicide, which stands as the main cause of death among people aged 10 to 39.

Everyone Together As One, the group organizing the walkout, said, “We will protect them (the teachers) and make changes so that not one more teacher chooses to take their life.”

According to government data, as of June, 100 school teachers committed suicide in South Korea since 2018, knowing that 57 of them taught at elementary schools. 

In light of the recent events, the education ministry promised to fortify educational authority and is currently aiming to make sure that “legitimate educational activities are distinguished from child abuse crimes." The country's President Yoon Suk Yeol issued an order for officials to “deeply bear in mind” the teachers’ protests and protect their rights.

Previous governments have been blamed for “overemphasizing” students’ human rights over teacher rights, which it claimed resulted in “the number of indiscriminate child abuse reports to increase”.

Read next: New number of UK teachers leaving profession ‘hugely concerning’

  • Suicide
  • schools
  • teachers
  • Yoon Suk-Yeol
  • South Korea

Most Read

Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Smoke and fire rises after 'Israel' launched airstrikes on the village of Ansar, Lebanon, October 16, 2025 (social media)

'Israel' launches two waves of brutal strikes on east, south Lebanon

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
A woman with her purchased groceries walks out from an underground market, in Beijing, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Global brands in China face pressure from rising local rivals

  • Economy
  • 17 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Nearly half of attacks in occupied al-Quds target Armenian Christians
Politics

Nearly half of attacks in occupied al-Quds target Armenian Christians

Greece rocked by EU farm subsidy scandal as dozens arrested
Economy

Greece rocked by EU farm subsidy scandal as dozens arrested

Netherlands holds talks with China after Beijing curbs Nexperia export.
Technology

Netherlands holds talks with China after Nexperia export's curb

Trump said to demand DOJ pay him $230 million for past cases: NYT
Politics

Trump said to demand DOJ pay him $230 mln for past cases: NYT

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS