Fourteen unionized teachers have been fired for leading "anti-government campaigns" in June and July when they joined a progressive-led nationwide condemnation of the government, issuing statements criticizing it for its alleged suppression of democracy.
According to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, a total of 89 members of the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers' Union (KTU) have been punished by education authorities. Among them, 14 have been fired and 41 have been slapped with suspensions.
It is the largest single disciplinary action slapped on progressive teachers since the KTU was established in 1998.
However, Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education has resisted a call by the central government to take disciplinary actions against 18 teachers involved in the campaign.
The large-scale punishment is expected to strike a heavy blow to the operation of the teachers' group as it lost six leading full-time members. The fired members will not be able to work for the group as their teaching licenses have been revoked. The union plans to file complaints with a court to reverse the decision.
The ministry says statements they made violated pertinent regulations, which bar teachers from political activity.