By Lee Hyo-sik
The bereaved family of the middle school student, who took his life in December in Daegu after being bullied by his classmates, has filed a compensation suit against Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education, school teachers and parents of the perpetuators.
They are seeking 400 million won ($375,000) in compensation.
The family said Thursday that it filed a lawsuit with the Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office, saying the educational office and the school, as well as eight other individuals, including the principal, vice principal, homeroom teacher and the parents of the violent classmates, should be held legally accountable for the student’s death.
Two pupils at the middle school have been arrested and indicted for physical assault.
Also, the bereaved family of another female student enrolled in the same middle school who committed suicide in July last year lodged a suit against school authorities and parents of the students who allegedly bullied her.
In a petition filed with the prosecution, the families said, “We had demanded the school take proper measures to stop the perpetuators from harassing our children. But it kept turning a deaf ear to our requests, resulting in their tragic deaths by their own hand.”
They said those who are directly or indirectly responsible for the deaths of the two students should pay each family 400 billion won.
“Personally, we do not hold a grudge against the teachers. But the school authorities should realize that they are the ones responsible for preventing classroom violence. We filed the suit to send a warning to teachers and schools across the country guilty of neglecting their duties to end violence among students,” the statement said.