Teacher Who Wore a Stab-Proof Vest Due to Student Threats Wins Teacher Authority Lawsuit: "Related Laws Must Be Revised"

Felt Life Was Threatened by "I Will Kill You" Remarks

Students Apologize and Pay Consolation Money to Teacher

A teacher, who was previously criticized and dubbed a "stab-proof vest teacher," has reportedly won recent civil and criminal lawsuits regarding the infringement of teachers' authority.

Teacher wearing a stab-resistant vest to work. Provided by Jeonbuk Teachers' Union

On September 7, the Jeonbuk branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) held a press conference at the North Jeolla Office of Education, stating, "We need to revise the Child Welfare Act and the Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, which are at the root of this incident."

From 2022 for over two years, Teacher A received death threats from students, including statements like "I will kill you" and "I will tear your whole family apart." Initially, these remarks were regarded as mere mockery toward the teacher. However, as the threats were repeated multiple times and escalated to specific details such as "If I stab you in the neck with a knife, you die instantly," and "I can do it because I'm underage," the teacher realized the seriousness of the situation. In early 2024, it was reported that after reprimanding some students for their poor classroom attitude, Teacher A was subjected to abusive language and further threats from dissatisfied students.

Suffering from psychological distress, Teacher A received a doctor's note recommending a leave of absence for more than six months. When the teacher requested special and sick leave from the school, it was not granted immediately. Ultimately, Teacher A went to school for about a week wearing a stab-proof vest that his wife had bought for him. On days he wore the vest to work, he had to take proof photos and send them to his family to reassure them of his safety.

The school determined that this incident constituted an infringement on teachers' authority. The perpetrating students contested this by filing an administrative appeal, while Teacher A filed civil and criminal lawsuits in response, resulting in a prolonged legal battle. In September last year, the appellate court in the administrative litigation delivered a final ruling confirming that the students' conduct constituted an infringement on teachers' authority. According to the Jeonbuk branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, a recent civil case was also resolved through mediation, with the students offering an apology and paying a certain amount of consolation money to the teacher.

The Jeonbuk branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union pointed out, "A teacher who was a victim of the infringement had to endure three years before finally being cleared of a child abuse report," and noted, "This case demonstrates that the child abuse reporting system can not only undermine educational activities but also be misused as a tool to attack teachers whose authority has been infringed upon."

The union further stated, "As long as ambiguous child abuse regulations are applied directly to educational activities, teachers will remain at risk of reports and criminal investigations." They demanded, "Relevant laws must be revised, such as excluding educational activities from the application of 'emotional abuse and neglect' under the Child Welfare Act."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.