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JEJU, Oct. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — A former high school teacher in Jeju has had his fine doubled on appeal after being convicted of making sexually inappropriate remarks to students during class.
The Jeju District Court’s Criminal Division 2, presided over by Judge Oh Chang-hoon, on Thursday overturned a lower court’s ruling and imposed a fine of 10 million won ($7,200) on the defendant, identified only by his surname A, for violating the Child Welfare Act, which prohibits sexual harassment and emotional abuse of minors.
The appellate court also ordered him to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and barred him from working at institutions involving children, teenagers, or people with disabilities for three years.
The 50-something former teacher had been accused of repeatedly making sexual comments to students during class in March and April 2023. According to court findings, A remarked, “Sex is a good thing” and “You have to experience it a lot,” after encountering words related to sexual relations in class material. He also told a student, “You have no value,” on several occasions, an act deemed emotional abuse.
A denied wrongdoing, arguing that his remarks were taken out of context and that they were not intended to cause harm. The first trial court rejected his defense, citing consistent testimony from students who said they suffered psychological distress as a result of his comments, and fined him 5 million won. Both the prosecution and the defendant appealed, claiming the sentence was too light or unfair.
In its ruling, the appeals court found that the comments bore “no legitimate connection” to the class content and constituted clear emotional and sexual harassment. “Given the nature of the relationship between the defendant and the victims, the severity of the acts, and the absence of any effort to remedy the psychological harm caused, the crime cannot be considered minor,” the judge said.
The court’s decision underscores growing judicial intolerance toward sexual misconduct and verbal abuse in educational settings, particularly when involving minors.
Jerry M. Kim (jerry_kim@koreabizwire.com)
