By Nam Hyun-woo
The Ministry of Education said Sunday it will ban lecturers convicted of sex crimes from teaching at universities.
The latest move was triggered by a controversy at Kongju National University in South Chungcheong Province, which allowed two of its professors convicted of sex crimes to teach courses this semester.
Currently, the Law on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse prohibits sex offenders from being employed at kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools for 10 years from the day they finish serving their sentences.
“The law will be revised to add universities to the range of institutions where sex offenders are barred from working,” an official at the ministry said.
In addition, the ministry plans to toughen sanctions against faculty members who have committed sex crimes, regardless of their severity.
Until now, in cases of “minor” harassment, offenders were typically issued warnings. But henceforth, the range of punitive actions will be expanded to include salary cuts, suspensions and other tougher punishments, according to the official.
In 2012, two professors at Kongju’s art department were indicted for sexually harassing four female students. A lower court last month fined them 3 million won and 8 million won, respectively for the offences. The professors were however allowed to conduct four courses this semester, triggering a massive public uproar. In response, the university decided to relieve them of their posts last week -- ordering them to voluntarily resign.
The professors appealed to a high court against their conviction, arguing that they do not recall ever harassing any of the alleged victims, but even if they did, it was not intentional.