"Are Bidets Only in Staff Restrooms?"... Assemblyman Jin-Nam Kim Criticizes 'Restroom Discrimination'

Emphasis on Fairness in Education at Integrated Metropolitan Council's Ordinance Review

Assemblyman Jin-Nam Kim (Democratic Party of Korea, Suncheon District 5) of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special Metropolitan Council emphasized fairness in the educational environment on September 9, pointing out the disparity in convenience facilities between staff and student restrooms during the Education Committee's ordinance review.

The "Ordinance on Restroom Management at the Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special Metropolitan Office of Education," which was reviewed on this day, was proposed to establish management standards for restrooms in line with the launch of the integrated office of education, and to create a sanitary and pleasant educational environment by providing convenience items and other measures.

Assemblyman Jin Nam Kim (right) pointed out the disparity in convenience facilities between staff and student restrooms during the Education Committee ordinance review. Provided by Gwangju Metropolitan Council in Jeollanam-do.

While Kim agreed with the intent of the ordinance, he highlighted that bidets are common in restrooms for the education office and staff, yet are rarely found in student restrooms. He argued that standards for restroom facilities should be reexamined from the "students' perspective," not from the viewpoint of adults.

In particular, when the education office explained that "some students prefer to use bidets while others do not," Assemblyman Kim responded sharply. He stated, "Preferences are divided among adults as well, yet it is easy to find bidets in the restrooms used by the education office and school staff. If preferences are only referenced for student restrooms, we need to consider whether the same standard is being applied." He criticized the education office for this inconsistency.

He further asked, "Conversely, if student restrooms were equipped with bidets, but staff restrooms were not, who would raise a problem with that? The most important reason for the existence of the education office and schools is ultimately the students. The top priority should be to create an environment where children can live more comfortably and pleasantly at school."

Kim emphasized not the blind installation of bidets, but rather the "fairness in choice." He added, "This is not about requiring all students to use bidets. Whether to use them should be up to the students, but we need to reflect on whether the environment that allows that choice is being provided equally to both adults and children."

He went on to say, "This is not just about a single piece of equipment like a bidet. In an educational setting that is supposed to teach fairness, students should be able to perceive that fairness in the spaces they use every day. I urge the office of education to take this ordinance as an opportunity to carefully examine the convenience and cleanliness of school restrooms from the students' point of view."

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