“School violence, alienation, bullying...a meager response only yields more severe violence. Stop worrying by yourself and call us! We will help you.”
Kim, 52, a middle school teacher in Songpa district, was shocked upon seeing a flyer plastered onto a telephone pole in front of a school on June 24.
On a sheet of A4 paper was an article about severe school violence and a caption that read, "Call us. We solved school violence." At the bottom of the flyer was a phone number. Kim called the number and revealed his occupation as a teacher to the person on the other line, asking him, "How is it that you can possibly end school violence?" "The school has nothing to do with this matter," the stranger responded before hanging up. "I was worried that strangers would threaten and physically hurt students, so I passed on the flyer to the police," Kim said.
Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said that they are investigating the origin of the flyers and tracking down people responsible for posting them. The police, though cautious about pressing charges against anyone yet, are considering the possibility of errand-running companies or private detective agencies having been paid to hurt teenagers.
Not only are there no reports of assaults yet, but also a flyer claiming to "contribute toward ending school violence" is insufficient to punish anyone. "If errand-running companies and private detective agencies are involved, then they must have gathered information about students' whereabouts illegally. We are planning to expand investigation on their potential breach of laws on use and protection of individuals' personal information," police affiliates said.
The special service these intimidating chaps provide is a well-kept secret that parents living in Gangnam are well acquainted with. Nine out of ten errand-running companies in metropolitan areas “get the most requests to resolve school violence after those to investigate reports of adultery,” according to the Chosun Ilbo. "We will send over a gangster or body guard right away," they said.
Pay varies from 150,000 won to 25 million won. Some "problem solvers" offer a second round of service.
Company H in Gangnam, where a former police investigative chief works, demands 25 million won prior to and after service. “There’s no need to cause unnecessary uproar by kidnapping or killing the bully. It’s not our first time doing something like this,” company S in Gangnam said. “If there’s any problem, we’re willing to offer a second round of service.”
Some "problem solving" agencies are even willing to create an uproar at school. "It takes a big ruckus to resolve school violence. If you abruptly cause a stir in the middle of class, there is nothing anyone can do about it,” a company in Yongsan district of Seoul said. "We barged into the cafeteria one day and told the teachers that their incompetence is the reason for our sudden presence. The school could not even call on us."
In a blog post, a mother of a middle school student wrote, "I'm withdrawing money that I saved by not buying any clothes and not eating to pay an errand-running company." "What is there a mother would possibly not do for a son, who attempted suicide after experiencing school violence? I hate using violence to end violence, but I learned that kids must be reprimanded with the same sticks that they use to hit their peers.”
Park, 51, parent to a seventh grade son, said, "Calling the police doesn't help, since the perpetrator is underage and therefore, free from any official punishment. Paying the "problem solvers" to avenge the harm done to my kid would make him a perpetrator, so I ultimately could not put my thoughts into action."