Video of elementary student slapping vice principal in Jeonju sparks outrage
A student is captured slapping a vice principal at an elementary school in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. / Courtesy of North Jeolla Province Teachers' Union
A video capturing a student slapping a vice principal at an elementary school in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, and the student's mother reportedly assaulting the homeroom teacher upon arriving at the school, has sparked public uproar.
According to the North Jeolla Province Teachers' Union on Wednesday, the incident occurred on the morning of Monday when a third-grade student verbally abused and assaulted the vice principal who was trying to prevent him from leaving school without permission.
The video released by the teachers shows the student slapping the vice principal multiple times in front of a classroom. The student can be heard using profanity and even biting and spitting at the vice principal.
The vice principal scolded him, saying, "What are you doing right now?" In response, he said, "I slapped you. Go to jail," and proceeded to slap him again. He also swung his backpack at the vice principal and bit his forearm.
The vice principal stands passively, with hands behind his back, not reacting to the assault.
Despite the intervention, the student eventually left the school without permission. Shortly after, his mother arrived at the school and, instead of apologizing, allegedly assaulted the homeroom teacher. The teacher has since reported his mother to the police for assault.
What's needed most is treatment
The student had been transferred to this school on May 14 due to previous disruptive behavior at another school. He continued his disruptive behavior at the new school and repeatedly assaulted the homeroom teacher who tried to manage his behavior.
His family has claimed unjust treatment and child abuse each time, filing complaints with the police against the teacher.
Frustrated parents of his classmates have demanded measures from the education office to address the ongoing disruption and separate him from the class, but no effective solutions have been implemented so far.
The vice principal told Jeonbuk CBS, "Incidents like this frequently occur when we try to bring him back to school after he attempts to leave without permission. In my opinion, what he needs most is treatment, but this is repeatedly hindered by laws and regulations, and the biggest challenge is the lack of consent from his parents."
The school has reported this case to the North Jeolla Province Office of Education, considering his actions as a severe infringement of teachers' rights.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.