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According to Yonhap News on June 8, the Private School Teachers Pension Management Corporation held a salary review meeting that day and approved the job-related survivor benefits requested by the family of the deceased teacher, identified as A.
The pension corporation had previously postponed its decision during an initial review last month, citing the need for further examination. However, after a re-evaluation, it concluded that A's death was indeed a job-related injury.
The family submitted evidence indicating that from October of last year to February of this year, 43 out of 120 students and two teachers at the kindergarten were infected with influenza, along with testimonies from colleagues stating that taking sick leave was virtually impossible.
A was diagnosed with type B influenza on January 27 but continued to work for three more days. Her condition worsened, leading to treatment in the intensive care unit, and she passed away from septic shock on February 14.
According to the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations, A was overwhelmed with preparations for a kindergarten performance until shortly before her death. She was responsible for multiple programs, including dance, piano, and traditional drumming, as well as transporting instruments. Additionally, she handled weekly play meetings and various report writing tasks, reportedly continuing to work from home after hours.
Even after showing symptoms of a high fever, A continued her duties. After her influenza diagnosis, she messaged the principal, saying, "I will come to work tomorrow wearing a mask," and informed her family, "I’m at work," "I can’t speak," and "I’m still in a meeting."
Notably, on January 30, the day before her death, she went to work despite her temperature rising to 39.8 degrees Celsius. She communicated with her family, stating, "I feel really bad," "Today is the worst day at work," and "I have a temperature of 38.7 degrees." She only left work after completing her handover tasks to seek medical attention.
A's condition rapidly deteriorated, and she was transported to the emergency room but did not regain consciousness, passing away about two weeks later.
The family and the teachers' union have argued that the excessive workload and the difficulty of taking sick leave in private kindergartens contributed to this tragedy, demanding recognition of the job-related injury.
The teachers' union issued a statement on the same day, calling the decision a "first step in restoring the deceased's honor" and urged the Ministry of Education to take immediate action to strengthen the public nature of private kindergartens and ensure the health rights of teachers.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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