At least he wasn't a foreign molestor...

[RF]

This should make everyone happy. It's from the Hankyoreh

Parents of elementary students and teachers’ organizations are protesting against the nation’s educational office’s disciplinary measure of a three-month suspension for an elementary school teacher who was reported to have sexually molested elementary students. The teacher, who has denied all charges, will still be allowed to teach in other schools following his suspension.



According to remarks made on July 25 by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and parents of students who attend the school, the teacher regularly molested students by letting female students sit on his lap, touching their breasts and kissing their cheeks, while in charge of a sixth-grade class in 2005.


In May, the parents sued the teacher and he was indicted for child mistreatment under the Child Protection Act, which makes provisions for sexual harassment and sexual violation. He was also sentenced to pay a fine of 20 million won (US$21,740). He has since launched an appeal against the decision.


The educational office in Seoul held a disciplinary hearing against the teacher earlier this month and handed down a thee-month suspension, which is the lightest punishment in heavy disciplinary measures. Cho Hak-gyu, an official from the Seoul educational office, said, “The punishment was handed down according to what is stipulated by the office’s disciplinary regulations. The teacher has appealed the decision, and denied the charges, so it is difficult to judge his actions as sexual molestation, due to the fact that it was a child protection law, not a law on sexual violence, that was applied to his actions.” The teacher, who was employed at an elementary school in Seoul, will move to another school once the suspension period is complete.


In response, 14 civil organizations, including the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, demonstrated yesterday in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in Jongno, in downtown Seoul, calling for the teacher’s dismissal.

A parent of a student who attends the school, who requested to be identified only by his surname, Kim, said, “A teacher who has habitually molested female students will remain a teacher. We do not feel safe sending our children to school.”

Han Jae-gap, a spokesperson for the Korea Federation of Teacher’s Associations, said, “The punishment of a three-month suspension, for a teacher who was given a fine of just 20 million won, is far too light for sexual molestation. The school disciplinary standard is important, but the administration should make a decision that all parents can accept.”


Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

[rocky racoon]

i read that, thats a travesty that he can get another teaching job

sparkling

[CaptPorridge]

They should make all Korean teachers get an FBI check

[Woland]

I could write something bitterly cynical like, "How else will those girls be prepared for tabang jobs if he's fired," but lately there are some people around here who don't get bitter cynicism.

(Seriously, this is bad. I mean, event the Teachers Union is against this.)

[camel]

Originally Posted by rocky racoon

i read that, thats a travesty that he can get another teaching job

sparkling

I had a friend, an Aussie girl back in 2000 or so on the East Coast who was getting screwed out of $ by her boss.
When she finally called the Labor Board they did some snooping around on this guy and it turns out he'd been fired from his middle school teaching gig for raping one of his students.
I guess some blood money changed hands and no one blocked him opening up a kiddy hagwon a year or so later.
Insanity.

[The Perfect Cup of Coffee]

Did I mis-read the article, or is there nothing in there about criminal charges? They sued the guy for damages and he's been lightly disciplined by the education office? WTF?! Where are the cops, prosecutors, and what the fuck is the joke of a legal system doing? How does monetary compensation make up for sexual advances on children?

[camel]

Originally Posted by The Perfect Cup of Coffee

How does monetary compensation make up for sexual advances on children?

Because money is more SPARKLING than jail?

Remember that GI that was found guilty in the Korean courts of raping the 67 year old near Hongdae.

Some money changed hands and the dude will now serve around 4 years.

Had the Korean prosecutors allowed the US military to try the case the guy would have been sentenced to probably closer to 20.

Yet all those anti-migun groups cry endlessly about how the US just lets it's soldiers get off with a slap across the wrist.

[Expat Judge]

see! all these foreigners are corrupting korean society!

[waycool34]

What law courses do you think Korean lawyers takin in Korean unis?

[Expat Judge]

Originally Posted by waycool34

What law courses do you think Korean lawyers takin in Korean unis?

probably the same courses that lawyers in the west take, but here a 20% is a pass and even if you dont pass you can probably donate some money to the university and get yur degree anyway.

[dogshed]

Originally Posted by CaptPorridge

They should make all Korean teachers get an FBI check

No, from their home state in the US.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by waycool34

What law courses do you think Korean lawyers takin in Korean unis?

Law course? There are none. You pass the test you are a lawyer. There are hagwons that help you pass the test though....

EDIT

There might be a two year course you take after you pass the test (might only be to land a judge type job). I think dogbert mentioned that one time.

[rocky racoon]

Originally Posted by Chris

Law course? There are none. You pass the test you are a lawyer. There are hagwons that help you pass the test though....

EDIT

There might be a two year course you take after you pass the test (might only be to land a judge type job). I think dogbert mentioned that one time.

he's right, remember the current president is a lawyer though he only graduated from high school. think he tried like 4 times. the pass rate is very low

thats proof enough this is one fucked up legal system (besides this rape case)

[rawley]

It's the same system for judges. As long as you study everything that could be on the test, then you pass it, then you're a judge.

[Black Dynamite]

There are law schools in Korea. The problem is that they are up against the very obnoxious idea that pass a test = qualified to do such and such a job. They are fighting to get inroads but it's a fight...My friend's father is the head of the first law school in Korea...Started 20+ years ago and these tests and hagwons are still alive and well.

The school system screws over real life once again. Sparkling!

[Bibbitybop]

I read that article on Korea Beat a few days ago.

I've said for a long time that Korean children are in more danger with Koreans than they are foreign teachers, per capita wise. That's my opinion, but when my school tells me they nor the police can do anything about molestation in the home (unless the situation is "severe"), it's my opinion that Korean society just lets these things slide as long as it's only the Koreans or only the families involved. Or in this case, Korean teachers.

[babotaengi]

Originally Posted by enomseki

what a shit load of bullfuck. please tell me that was a joke.

Happy times with your head in the sand, eh?

[BITNB]

i'm absofuckinglutely gobsmacked. got the original link so i can send it on?