A senior teacher at a private high school in Ulsan has been dismissed after committing sexual assault against temporary contract teachers.
According to the Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education on Monday, the school's foundation held a disciplinary committee meeting on Saturday and unanimously voted to dismiss the accused teacher, identified only as "A." The school principal received a one-month suspension as a serious disciplinary measure.
The incident occurred in September last year during a dinner gathering involving alcohol, where A sexually assaulted a temporary contract teacher at the school. Another temporary teacher subsequently came forward to report having been molested by A. Police have booked A on charges including sexual assault.
Based on findings from a special audit, the education office on January 26 demanded that the foundation dismiss A and impose severe disciplinary action against the principal. The audit revealed that A had approached temporary teachers suggesting he could help with regular teacher hiring or contract renewals, using such offers to arrange meetings including drinking sessions, during which he committed sexual assault and harassment. The education office determined that the principal bore responsibility for improper management of staff gatherings and failure of supervisory duties.
Civic groups including the Ulsan Women's Association, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and school alumni had been demanding A's dismissal and severe punishment.
The Ulsan Women's Association issued a statement on Sunday, saying the dismissal was "an appropriate outcome that sends a clear social message that teachers who commit sex crimes can never return to the classroom." The group called for strong criminal penalties to follow.