By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
A group of native English teachers is criticizing a lawmaker over his statement that crimes committed by foreign teachers are "at a serious level."
Rep. Lee Gun-hyeon of the Grand National Party recently published statistics from the National Police Agency involving crimes by foreign English teachers.
Lee stressed that these crimes have emerged as a social issue, escalating the anxiety of students and parents, who are calling for a stricter verification system to root out unqualified teaching candidates.
Lee also suggested criminal information should be made public to ensure students are not exposed to additional crimes.
The Association for Teachers of English in Korea (ATEK) countered the lawmaker's claim. Dann Gaymer, communications director of the association, told The Korea Times Thursday that Lee's comments don't make sense and that they are making foreign English teachers look like the "enemy."