Journalist
Lee Jung-woo이정우
cannes2030@ajupress.com
ReporterMinistry of Unification & North Korea, Politics, Foreign Affairs
I studied philosophy in college, and sociology and journalism in graduate school. I cover North Korea, South Korean politics, foreign affairs and films. I enjoy Nordic cinema, Indian cuisine and Japanese detective novels. I have a cat and like bright, acidic coffee.
"Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."
"Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."
Latest by Lee Jung-woo
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Korean justice minister calls to scrap statute of limitations on state crimes SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - South Korean Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho on Monday called for abolishing the statute of limitations for crimes committed by the state, saying those responsible for torture and other forms of state violence must be held accountable regardless of how much time has passed. In a post on X, Jung referred to the so-called Nakdong River murder case, a wrongful conviction that was overturned in a retrial after two men spent more than two decades in prison for a killing they did not commit. "There should be no statute of limitations for crimes committed by the state," Jung wrote. "Those who committed crimes against humanity through state violence must be punished, and we must firmly establish the principle that there is no statute of limitations for justice." The minister also apologized to the victims, Choi In-cheol and Jang Dong-ik, saying they had endured more than 30 years of suffering. "I sincerely apologize for your sufferings of more than 30 years," Jung wrote. "The Ministry of Justice will do its utmost to ensure that no citizen ever becomes a victim of fabricated criminal cases." The case stems from the Jan. 4, 1990, abduction of a man and a woman near the Nakdong River in the southeastern city of Busan. The woman was killed and the man survived with injuries. Police accused Choi and Jang of the crime after allegedly extracting false confessions through torture. Both men were sentenced to life imprisonment and spent 21 years behind bars before being released. They later sought a retrial, and the Busan High Court acquitted them in February 2021. During the retrial proceedings, Choi and Jang filed perjury complaints against five police officers who testified as witnesses. Prosecutors indicted four of the officers on June 25, one day before the statute of limitations on perjury expired. Jung said the perjury charges were the only remaining legal avenue to pursue accountability because the statute of limitations had already expired for the alleged torture and fabrication of evidence. He urged the National Assembly to consider legislation eliminating the statute of limitations for crimes involving state violence, noting that President Lee Jae Myung has repeatedly emphasized the need to hold perpetrators of such acts accountable. "State violence not only destroys an individual's life but also undermines society's trust in the justice system," Jung wrote. "We must establish a just Republic of Korea where no one falls victim to fabricated criminal cases." 2026-06-29 14:01:59 -
Tajikistan-led UN resolution establishes international peace through 2036 SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - The U.N. General Assembly has adopted a resolution proclaiming 2027 - 2036 as the International Decade of Strengthening of Peace for Future Generations, following an initiative introduced by Tajikistan, the country's embassy in Seoul said Monday. The resolution, adopted on June 25, calls for greater international efforts to promote peace, dialogue and reconciliation while encouraging cooperation across generations to ensure that the interests of future generations are reflected in policymaking. According to the resolution, the decade will support engagement among children, young people and older persons and encourage governments, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to share best practices and participate in its implementation. The measure reaffirms the principles of the U.N. Charter, including the commitment to settle disputes by peaceful means and "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war." It also recognizes the U.N. Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace as a framework for promoting peace and nonviolence. The General Assembly also welcomed commitments made at the 2024 Summit of the Future, including the adoption of the Pact for the Future, which calls for stronger international cooperation to protect the interests of future generations. The resolution highlights recent diplomatic progress in Central Asia, welcoming efforts by Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to resolve border issues through peaceful negotiations and agreements. It requests the U.N. secretary-general, specialized agencies, regional commissions and other U.N. bodies to help implement the decade in cooperation with governments and other stakeholders. The Embassy of Tajikistan in Seoul said the resolution reflects the country's longstanding support for peace and dialogue, noting that the initiative was proposed by President Emomali Rahmon. The embassy said the adoption comes as armed conflicts continue to affect civilians in many parts of the world. 2026-06-29 12:48:21 -
Stay-at-home fathers in South Korea hit record high in first quarter SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - The number of South Korean men staying out of the workforce to care for preschool children or manage household duties climbed to a record high in the first quarter, while the number of women doing the same fell to the lowest level since comparable data became available. According to data released Monday by Statistics Korea through the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), 274,000 men were classified as economically inactive because of childcare or housework in the January-March period, up 16.6 percent from a year earlier. It was the highest first-quarter figure since the current classification of the economically inactive population was introduced in 2004. The year-on-year increase was also the largest since 2021. Of the total, 261,000 men cited housework as the reason for remaining outside the labor force, up 16.5 percent from a year earlier, while 13,000 stayed home to care for preschool children or grandchildren, an increase of 16.8 percent. The number of men devoted to childcare or housework has nearly doubled over the past two decades, rising from 151,000 in the first quarter of 2006. It first exceeded 200,000 in the first quarter of 2022. In contrast, the number of economically inactive women engaged in childcare or housework fell 1.9 percent from a year earlier to 6.536 million, the lowest first-quarter level since 2004. The figure had peaked at 7.684 million in the first quarter of 2013 before gradually declining. The trend suggests a gradual shift in traditional gender roles, with more men taking on caregiving and household responsibilities while more women remain in the workforce. The increase may also reflect a growing number of women in high-paying professional occupations. A report released in April by the Bank of Korea found that the ratio of economically active women aged 25 to 34 with four-year college degrees or higher to their male counterparts rose from 51.5 percent in 2002 to 95.5 percent last year. Among young professionals, the number of employed women was nearly equal to that of men last year. In office jobs, employed women outnumbered men, with the female-to-male employment ratio reaching 113.8 percent, according to the report. According to a September 2025 survey by South Korea's Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, among dual-income couples, wives spent an average of 2 hours and 51 minutes per day on housework—including household chores and family caregiving—while husbands spent 59 minutes. This means that even in dual-income households, wives spent 112 minutes more on housework than their husbands. Even in single-income households where only the wife was employed, wives spent 2 hours and 40 minutes on housework, 54 minutes more than husbands, who spent 1 hour and 46 minutes. 2026-06-29 12:47:27 -
Young South Korean Ph.D.s face record employment crisis SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - More than one-third of South Korea's newly minted Ph.D. graduates were without jobs last year, with the share of unemployed or economically inactive doctorate holders exceeding 30 percent for the first time since the government began compiling the data, according to a government survey released Monday. The survey also showed that more than half of doctorate recipients under age 30 were jobless, underscoring worsening employment prospects even among the country's most highly educated young workers. According to the 2025 Survey of New Domestic Doctorate Recipients, conducted by the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training and released through the government's statistical portal, 66.7 percent of new Ph.D. graduates were employed or had secured jobs, while 27.7 percent were unemployed and 5.6 percent had left the labor force. Combined, the jobless rate — including both unemployed people seeking work and those classified as economically inactive — reached 33.3 percent, the highest level since the survey began in 2014. The increase was driven largely by a sharp rise in economically inactive doctorate holders, whose share nearly doubled to 5.6 percent from 3.0 percent a year earlier. By comparison, the unemployment rate edged up only 1.1 percentage points to 27.7 percent. South Korea has been producing a record number of Ph.D. graduates, but the expansion of high-quality positions requiring doctoral degrees has failed to keep pace, according to analysts. Universities, traditionally the largest employers of Ph.D. holders, have reduced the number of tenured faculty positions as the country's school-age population shrinks while relying more heavily on adjunct instructors. Government-funded research institutes and private-sector research and development positions have also failed to absorb the growing supply of doctorate recipients. Young graduates faced the greatest challenges. Among 569 respondents younger than 30, 51.1 percent were jobless, marking the first time the figure exceeded half. The share of economically inactive doctorate holders in the age group also jumped to 7.9 percent from 2.6 percent a year earlier. Employment conditions remained weak across other age groups. The jobless rate stood at 44.2 percent among doctorate recipients aged 30 to 34, 32.8 percent for those aged 35 to 39, 22.1 percent for those aged 40 to 44, 16.6 percent for those aged 45 to 49 and 22.7 percent for those aged 50 and older — all record highs for their respective age groups. The findings come as South Korea's youth labor market continues to weaken. The employment rate for people aged 15 to 29 stood at 43.8 percent in May, down 2.4 percentage points from a year earlier and extending its decline to 25 consecutive months. Some economists also believe artificial intelligence may be reducing entry-level opportunities for highly educated workers. The Bank of Korea said in a report last year that youth employment has declined in industries including computer programming, publishing, professional services and information services since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022. The survey also highlighted widening income disparities by field of study. Among employed doctorate holders, 15.9 percent earned annual salaries of at least 100 million won ($64,800), up from 14.4 percent a year earlier. Business, administration and law graduates recorded the highest share of top earners at 29.8 percent, followed by health and welfare at 26.5 percent and information and communications technology at 24.1 percent. By contrast, only 3.7 percent of arts and humanities doctorate holders earned at least 100 million won annually, while 26.8 percent reported annual incomes below 20 million won. Women were more likely than men to be jobless after earning doctoral degrees. Among male doctorate recipients, 29.6 percent were unemployed or economically inactive, compared with 38.4 percent of women. Men were also more likely to earn annual salaries above 100 million won, at 20.6 percent, compared with 8.3 percent for women. Conversely, 17.2 percent of women earned less than 20 million won annually, compared with 6.3 percent of men. Rep. Ahn Sang-hoon, a lawmaker from the People Power Party and a former professor of social welfare at Seoul National University, said the problem stems from the government's failure to anticipate and prepare for future labor demand. "The education authorities should work closely with employment policymakers to forecast future industries and cultivate the talent they will need in advance, but that mechanism is not functioning properly," Ahn said. He also described South Korea's entrenched credentialism as a chronic social problem, saying, "The excessive production of advanced degrees in fields with little socioeconomic demand reduces the country's overall productivity." Suh Yi-jong, a sociology professor at Seoul National University, said relatively few people pursue doctoral degrees based on their own long-term career planning. Instead, he argued, many earn Ph.D.s under the influence of South Korea's traditional emphasis on academic pedigree and inertia, leaving them ill-prepared to respond proactively to sweeping social changes. "Having taught at the university for more than 30 years, I've seen many young people enter graduate school to pursue doctoral degrees not because they have anticipated the social changes ahead and chosen to respond to them proactively, but because they passively follow conventional ways of thinking," Suh said. He added that South Korean students generally enter university at a later age than their counterparts in many other countries. "Until they finish high school, students mainly follow prescribed curricula rather than studying independently and creatively," Suh said. "We should shorten the elementary, middle and high school education process so students can begin self-directed learning at an earlier stage." 2026-06-29 12:47:06 -
Seoul backs K-beauty inroads to Saudi Arabia SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) -South Korea is stepping up support for K-beauty companies seeking to enter Saudi Arabia, betting the kingdom's rapidly expanding consumer market will become the industry's next major growth engine as Korean cosmetics exports continue to break records. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said Monday it will launch a new program to help small and medium-sized cosmetics companies expand into Saudi Arabia, one of the Middle East's fastest-growing beauty markets, as Seoul seeks to diversify export destinations beyond its traditional markets. Applications will be accepted through July 23 from Korean cosmetics manufacturers and authorized distributors. Selected companies will receive support to meet Saudi retailers and government agencies, secure shelf space in online and offline stores, promote their products and receive consultations on local regulations. The initiative will be carried out jointly with the South Korean Embassy in Saudi Arabia and more than 20 Saudi distributors and retailers, including Whites, one of the kingdom's largest beauty and wellness retail chains. Following the application process, Saudi buyers will travel to South Korea to evaluate applicants through document screening and interviews before selecting participating brands. The ministry said Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly attractive destination for Korean cosmetics as the kingdom presses ahead with its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. The reforms have expanded women's participation in the workforce, opened more sectors of the economy and encouraged higher consumer spending, fueling demand for beauty and personal care products. Female labor-force participation has more than doubled over the past decade, exceeding the government's original Vision 2030 target. Despite the growing interest, many smaller Korean brands have struggled to enter the Saudi market because of limited local business networks and complex regulatory requirements, the ministry said. "K-beauty remains South Korea's leading export category among SME products, but securing new customers and diversifying export destinations are essential to sustaining growth," Shim Jae-yoon, director general for global growth policy at the ministry, said in a statement. "We hope this initiative will serve as a stepping stone for expanding the K-beauty boom across the broader Middle East." South Korean Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Kang Shin-chul said rising Saudi interest in Korean cosmetics reflects demand not only for beauty products but also for the healthy and confident lifestyle associated with Korean culture. The ministry and the embassy will hold a briefing in Seoul on July 2 to explain Saudi market trends, application procedures and program details. The latest initiative comes as Korean cosmetics have emerged as one of the country's fastest-growing export industries. South Korea exported a record $11.37 billion worth of cosmetics in 2025, with small and medium-sized companies accounting for $8.32 billion, or 73 percent of the total. Industry estimates project exports could reach $15 billion within the next few years, supported by annual growth of around 11 to 13 percent across major overseas markets. K-beauty has continued to gain recognition abroad. In April, The New York Times included Torriden's Dive-In Serum and Hanyul's Red Rice Hydrating Serum among its five best hydrating serums. Retail expansion has also accelerated. Olive Young recently opened its first U.S. store in Pasadena, near Los Angeles, followed by a second outlet in Los Angeles. Shoppers lined up for four city blocks on opening day in Pasadena, while about 300 customers were waiting before the doors opened at the second location. The ministry has designated K-beauty as one of its strategic export industries and has expanded support for overseas sales through both online and offline channels. Minister Han Sung-sook has made K-beauty exports a priority since taking office last year, visiting cosmetics distributor Silicon2 shortly after assuming office, announcing measures to expand online exports in November and hosting the "K-Beauty Glow Week in Shanghai" promotion during last month's South Korea-China summit to showcase smaller Korean brands. 2026-06-29 09:55:50 -
South Korea backs AI with $130B R&D plan SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - South Korea adopted a new five-year national science and technology blueprint on Friday, pledging to invest more than 200 trillion won ($130 billion) in government-funded research and development through 2030 as the Lee Jae Myung administration seeks to make artificial intelligence the centerpiece of future economic growth. The Ministry of Science and ICT said the National Science and Technology Advisory Council approved the Sixth Basic Plan for Science and Technology, covering the 2026 - 2030 period. The plan, the country's highest-level framework for science and innovation policy, marks a sharp shift from the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration, whose 2024 budget cuts to government R&D triggered widespread criticism from scientists, universities and research institutes before much of the funding was later restored. Under the new roadmap, the government identified four strategic priorities: overhauling the national science and innovation system, accelerating AI transformation, promoting technology-led economic growth and ensuring broader social benefits from scientific advances. The government said it will maintain stable investment of more than 200 trillion won in public R&D over the next five years while strengthening centralized coordination of science policy under the science and technology deputy prime minister. Universities will receive expanded performance-based block funding, while government-funded research institutes will move further away from the long-criticized Project-Based System (PBS) toward mission-oriented operations. Companies will receive customized R&D support tied to different stages of business growth. Artificial intelligence features prominently throughout the plan. The government said it will introduce AI-assisted research tools and autonomous laboratories across scientific disciplines, expand AI-based public services and continue developing sovereign foundation models. It also pledged investment in physical AI, quantum technologies, next-generation AI systems and computing infrastructure, including networks, data and cybersecurity. In strategic industries, Seoul plans to invest more than 60 trillion won over five years in national strategic technologies, including semiconductors, biotechnology, aerospace and defense. The government also aims to strengthen commercialization by expanding technology-transfer programs, venture financing and public-private innovation partnerships. Regional development forms another pillar of the strategy. The government will expand locally managed R&D funding, foster region-specific industries and strengthen science-driven healthcare, renewable energy and advanced nuclear technologies. By 2030, the government aims to increase the number of globally influential researchers from 76 to more than 100, raise AI service usage to above 70 percent from 44.5 percent and narrow South Korea's technology gap with the world's leading countries from 2.8 years to less than two years. The new strategy reflects President Lee's broader effort to restore government support for science after his predecessor's emphasis on fiscal discipline. Former President Yoon's administration drew heavy backlash in 2023 after proposing one of the largest reductions in government R&D spending in decades, arguing that research funding had become inefficient and required structural reform. Universities, researchers and industry groups warned that the cuts threatened basic research and long-term technological competitiveness, prompting the government to partially reverse course in subsequent budgets. Lee has since pledged record levels of research spending while positioning AI as a new engine of economic growth, saying sustained investment in science and technology is essential for South Korea's future competitiveness. 2026-06-26 17:29:10 -
Ex-first lady sentenced to 7 yrs in prison over bribery charges SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - Disgraced former first lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday after a court found her guilty of accepting luxury gifts and artworks in exchange for using her influence to help secure appointments and other favors. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence on charges of influence-peddling and bribery, slightly lighter than the seven years and six months prosecutors had sought. Prosecutors earlier argued that Kim had repeatedly accepted expensive gifts using her status, and requested a harsher sentence. The ruling covered all alleged influence-peddling and bribery charges against Kim, who was accused of accepting luxury goods worth 103.8 million won (US$67,500) including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from Seo Hee Construction chairman Lee Bong-kwan in exchange for helping arrange a personnel appointment involving his eldest son-in-law. She was also convicted of receiving a gold turtle figurine worth 2.65 million won from former National Education Commission chair Lee Bae-yong in connection with a request for an appointment. In another case, Kim was accused of accepting a Vacheron Constantin watch valued at 39 million won from robotics entrepreneur Seo Seong-bin in return for business-related assistance. The court also found Kim guilty of receiving Dior bags worth a combined 5.4 million won from pastor Choi Jae-young in connection with requests involving official duties. Kim was further convicted of accepting a painting by renowned Korean artist Lee U-fan, valued at about 140 million won, from former prosecutor Kim Sang-min in exchange for an election nomination request. Kim, 53, is the wife of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol and served as South Korea's first lady from 2022 until Yoon's ouster from office in April last year. Before entering public life, she ran a company organizing art exhibitions, but soon faced a series of controversies including allegations ranging from a stock-price manipulation scheme to academic plagiarism. Her legal troubles have unfolded alongside proceedings against Yoon, making them the first former couple to face separate criminal cases. Kim has consistently denied wrongdoing in multiple investigations, while prosecutors have pursued a series of corruption-related cases against her over the past couple of years. Kim bowed before the court and said she was "sincerely remorseful" for her "careless conduct," but she is expected to appeal Friday's ruling. 2026-06-26 16:38:08 -
Lee calls for dialogue with North Korea in message to Washington advocates SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung has called for the resumption of dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea as well as between the two Koreas, saying that rebuilding trust is essential to achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula, in a message to a conference held in the U.S. earlier this week. In a written congratulatory message to a conference in Washington, D.C. on Thursday hosted by the Korean American Public Action Committee (KAPAC), Lee said his administration has consistently pursued policies aimed at promoting peace on the peninsula since taking office in June last year, while also seeking ways to lay the groundwork for reunification with the North. "Trust must be restored for a peaceful Korean Peninsula, and to achieve that, dialogue between the two Koreas and between the U.S. and North Korea must resume," Lee said. He reiterated that his administration respects North Korea's political system and has no intention of engaging in hostile acts and believes reunification should not come through either side absorbing the other. "The best security policy is to build a situation in which there is no need to fight," he said. "Peace is the foundation for protecting people's safety, stabilizing livelihoods and achieving economic development." Lee also urged overseas South Koreans to support these peace efforts, asking them to help raise international awareness of the need to resume dialogue with North Korea. "Our government will continue to communicate closely with the U.S. and other neighboring countries and make every effort to reopen the door to dialogue," he said. The message raised eyebrows as it was read by visiting Rep. Song Young-gil of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), in an unusual move since such messages are typically delivered by government officials. That also drew attention given that Song is widely expected to run in the party's leadership race in August, where he is likely to face former party leader Jung Chung-rae and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. It came just a day after veteran DP lawmaker Park Jie-won said on a radio program that Song told him in a phone call, "When I met at the presidential residence on June 18, we discussed the party convention. I said I would run in a three-way race, later merge with , and produce a result in which support would coalesce in the runoff." Meanwhile, Lee is expected to announce plans next week for major economic projects that would inject public and private investment into key future industries such as artificial intelligence, robotics and semiconductors. But Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), has accused Lee of trying to sway the DP's leadership race by taking advantage of the projects, pointing out that he has already handpicked South Jeolla Province as the main site in a bid to woo voters in a region widely regarded as the DP's traditional stronghold. The southwestern region has about 510,000 of the DP's estimated 1.5 million party members, accounting for more than one-third of the total. 2026-06-26 14:37:42 -
Eight more South Korean ships clear Strait of Hormuz after ceasefire SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - Eight more South Korean-operated vessels stranded inside the Strait of Hormuz have safely passed through the strategic waterway following the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, leaving five left behind, according to South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Friday. The ministry said the eight ships, carrying a total of 37 South Korean crew members, have resumed normal operations after transiting the strait. One of the vessels is bound for South Korea. The latest departures reduce the number of South Korean-operated ships still inside the Strait of Hormuz to five. They include the HMM Namu, which has been undergoing repairs at Dubai Port after being struck in an attack early last month. A total of 21 of the 26 South Korean-operated vessels that had been stranded in the strait since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late February have now cleared the passage, according to the ministry. There are currently 47 South Korean nationals remaining in the area, including 30 serving aboard foreign-flagged vessels. "The government provided diplomatic support through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the safe passage of our vessels, while also offering real-time monitoring and navigational information during their transit," the ministry said in a statement. The movement of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz has gradually resumed since Washington and Tehran agreed to end hostilities, allowing South Korean ships to leave the area one by one. Security concerns remain, however. According to foreign media reports, a Singapore-flagged cargo ship transiting the Omani shipping lane in the strait came under a drone attack believed to have been carried out by Iran on Wednesday local time. The incident prompted the International Maritime Organization to temporarily suspend plans related to the evacuation of ships and seafarers in the area. Most South Korean-operated vessels have reportedly transited the strait via the Iranian shipping lane after coordination with Iranian authorities. Officials and diplomatic sources say the relatively high transit rate of South Korean vessels reflects sustained diplomatic engagement with Tehran, as well as South Korea's protest over the attack on the HMM Namu. Although Iran has not publicly acknowledged responsibility for the strike, Seoul conducted its own investigation and has repeatedly sought an explanation from Tehran. Experts say the relatively high transit rate of South Korean vessels also reflects Seoul's continued diplomatic engagement with Tehran throughout the conflict. Unlike many countries, Seoul kept its embassy in Iran fully operational and maintained communication with Iranian officials at multiple levels. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held four phone calls with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, and dispatched a special envoy for more than two weeks to help secure the safe passage of South Korean vessels, according to government officials. 2026-06-26 10:08:05 -
Teachers Discuss Real-Life Challenges Reflected in Netflix's 'True Education' The Netflix drama 'True Education' features a unique organization called the 'Teacher Rights Protection Bureau,' which operates under the Ministry of Education. This bureau addresses issues such as malicious complaints, school violence, and violations of teachers' rights. While the bureau sometimes resolves school problems in extreme and unrealistic ways, what resonated with viewers was not the dramatic retribution but the message of solidarity: "We will fight alongside teachers."Recently, 'True Education' has gained traction among teachers, especially following the tragic death of a teacher at Seo Yi High School, which has amplified calls for the restoration of teachers' rights. However, many teachers on the ground assert that "nothing has changed in schools." They feel increasingly pressured to abandon their educational roles amid complaints from students and parents, reckless child abuse reports, and threats of lawsuits.Kim Han-na, a middle school teacher in Busan with 15 years of experience, stated, "Teachers enter the profession with a sense of mission to become good educators, yet normal disciplinary actions often lead to malicious complaints or legal actions, leaving them feeling powerless or doubting their own abilities." She found the bureau's promise to "fight alongside teachers" particularly impactful, noting that it conveyed a message of support that many teachers in South Korea desperately need.One of the most pressing issues teachers face is the rampant reporting of child abuse. Although current child welfare laws prohibit emotional abuse, statements made during student guidance or disciplinary actions often spark controversies over alleged child abuse.Kim explained, "I have seen instances where unavoidable physical contact or comments made while intervening in student disputes are interpreted as child abuse. Teachers fear not just disciplinary actions but police investigations and lawsuits."Real-life cases of teacher rights violations are alarmingly serious. In one reported incident, a teacher intervened when a violent student attempted to assault a classmate. The student retaliated by kicking the teacher and then physically assaulting them. Although the teacher merely held the student's wrist to prevent further harm, the student's parent accused the teacher of assault and filed a child abuse complaint.The parent publicly criticized the teacher on local online communities, leading the teacher to endure months of police investigations and complaints.Teachers assert that such incidents are not isolated. Chae Yoon-joo, an elementary school teacher in Incheon and the vice chair of the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations' 2030 Youth Committee, remarked, "Many believe the scenarios depicted in the Netflix drama are exaggerated, but they are not. In today's educational environment, teachers face a range of rights violations daily, from minor to severe."In particular, parental complaints are cited as the biggest burden in kindergartens and elementary schools. Teachers receive complaints for not sending photos from field trips, and when they do send photos, they are criticized for the children's expressions. During survival swimming classes, if a student afraid of water is observed at the pool's edge, complaints arise questioning why the child did not enter the water.Teachers' attire also becomes a point of contention, with parents questioning why they wear black clothing or insisting that bright colors are necessary for children's visual development. After school, teachers often receive messages and calls asking why a child looks unhappy or if the teacher scolded them. Failing to respond can lead to retaliatory complaints.Chae noted, "Teachers are now more afraid of parents than students, and in such an environment, no one is willing to actively guide students."Violations of teacher rights ultimately affect the learning rights of other students. This concern has prompted An Min-seok, the newly elected superintendent of Gyeonggi Province, to advocate for the establishment of a 'Teacher Rights Protection Bureau,' inspired by the drama.In an interview with Aju Business Daily, An stated, "The key is to protect both teacher rights and student learning rights. We must prevent situations where problematic students infringe upon teachers' rights and disrupt the learning rights of others." He emphasized the need for a system where the education office takes responsibility rather than placing the burden solely on individual teachers.There is a growing demand within the education sector to reform the current structure, where teachers bear the brunt of complaints and lawsuits alone. The Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations advocates for a 'National Responsibility System for Educational Activity Lawsuits,' which would allow the state to handle legal responses on behalf of teachers in cases arising from legitimate educational activities. This initiative aims to alleviate the burden of police investigations and legal battles on individual teachers.Additionally, there is a call for the introduction of a 'malicious complaint counter-reporting system,' which would require education superintendents to report false child abuse claims when confirmed as malicious.Teachers argue that restoring their rights is not merely a matter of protecting a specific profession but is essential for the survival of public education. Chae remarked, "Among teachers, there is a saying that 'hardworking teachers have short careers.' If teachers start to hold back, the biggest victims will ultimately be the students."Recent surveys indicate that teachers perceive a crisis level far higher than anticipated. In an April 2026 survey by the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations, 86.0% of teachers reported experiencing direct or indirect violations of their rights within the past year, yet only 13.9% officially reported these incidents. Reasons for hesitance included fears of malicious complaints (85.0%), the burden of false child abuse reports (81.8%), and anxiety over being secretly recorded during classes (80.9%).A similar survey conducted by the Practical Education Teachers' Association in June 2026 found that 87.2% of respondents had experienced rights violations in the past three years. The most common type was 'ongoing disruption of educational activities' at 74.8%, followed by malicious complaints or threats from parents at 56.0%, verbal abuse from students at 37.4%, and physical violence at 11.2%.Teachers' professional status is also significantly shaken. Ahead of this year's Teacher's Day, a survey of 8,900 teachers revealed that 49.2% felt a decline in their pride in the profession over the past one to two years. The moment teachers feel the most powerless is when they are not trusted by students and parents and when their rights are violated, with 67.9% citing this as their primary concern.According to the Ministry of Education's 2024 survey on educational activity violations, the number of Teacher Rights Protection Committee meetings decreased from 5,050 in 2023 to 4,234 in 2024. However, this figure remains more than three times higher than the 1,197 meetings recorded in 2020. In the first semester of 2025, 2,189 cases of educational activity violations were reported, with the majority attributed to students (2,000 cases) and 189 cases attributed to parents or guardians.The repercussions of rights violations are also increasing. Protective measures for affected teachers rose from 3,035 in 2022 to 6,699 in 2023, more than doubling. The usage of educational activity protection centers surged from approximately 62,000 cases in 2022 to about 124,000 in 2024. As of the first semester of 2025, the number of cases involving counseling and legal support reached about 53,000.These statistics indicate that violations of teacher rights are not isolated incidents but a nationwide phenomenon. Despite strengthened laws and regulations, many teachers remain exposed to malicious complaints, disruptions of educational activities, and verbal and physical violence, with many unable to report their experiences. Enhancing the effectiveness of teacher protection measures and creating an environment where teachers can focus on education without fear is an urgent task for the education sector.The drama 'True Education' features a line that resonates deeply: "If adults fear children, the world is doomed." Teachers frequently reference this line because the issues depicted in the drama no longer feel fictional. What teachers seek is not special power but the minimum authority to teach and guide students, along with the assurance that the state will protect them when they engage in legitimate educational activities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-26 08:04:00