Sep 11, 2009

of controversy raging over female teacher harassment video

Controversy raging over female teacher harassment video : The video of a young Korean female teacher being sexually harassed in class was leaked on to the internet. In the 45-second clip, a student puts his arm around the shoulders of the part-time music teacher. The video was taken by another student who posted it on his website.

See the video here ("여교사 성희롱").

Photo of the student (Kim)

Controversy is escalating after a video clip in which a young female teacher was sexually harassed by a high school student in a classroom in Seoul circulated on the internet on Tuesday.

Some teachers' unions have expressed deep concern over the "decline in teachers' authority," calling for a thorough inquiry into the case and strict disciplinary action for the students involved.

"It is an obvious encroachment of teacher's authority and a sexual harassment. ... This clearly illustrates that the students' respect for and confidence in teachers have been dissipating," the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations said in a statement.

Citizens have also voiced displeasure, saying that strong measures need to be crafted to prevent a repeat of the case.

In the 45-second clip, a second-year high school student, surnamed Kim, put his arm around the shoulders of a part-time music teacher and said, "Can we go out together?" Kim repeatedly harassed the teacher even though she expressed displeasure.

The scene was recorded by another student, surnamed Ryu, with his mobile phone on July 6. Although the teacher told Ryu to delete the recording, he posted it on his homepage with the title, "hitting on a female teacher," the next day.

The video clip started circulating on local major internet portals Tuesday, which deleted it Wednesday upon demand from the high school and the Seoul education office. The high school has decided to bar the two students from taking classes for 10 days.