SEOUL, Sept. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — A series of massive rallies in Seoul, convened to mourn the recent tragic suicides of fellow teachers who were deeply affected by disgruntled parents and unruly students, as well as to advocate for measures aimed at preventing such heart-wrenching events, has garnered significant attention.
Teachers hold a rally in front of the National Assembly to restore their rights and pay tribute to a female teacher at Seoi Elementary School in Seoul who apparently took her own life 49 days ago due to an alleged abuse of power inflicted upon her by one or more parents. In South Korea, people hold a memorial service on the 49th day of a person’s death, known as “sasipgujae,” to pray for the person’s rebirth in paradise.
The rally held last weekend, in particular, drew widespread acclaim due to its meticulously organized, grid-like arrangement. An astounding 200,000 individuals were reported to have gathered, marking it as the largest turnout in history.
Participants effectively occupied eight lanes of traffic, stretching from the main entrance of the National Assembly to Yeouido Park. Despite the colossal turnout, the protest remained remarkably well-organized and disciplined.
A participant pays tribute during a memorial rally in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Sept. 4, the 49th anniversary of the death of a teacher at Seoi Elementary School in Seoul.
Even the police officers present at the scene were impressed, with one officer expressing, “I wish all protests could emulate the organization and tidiness of this teacher’s rally. They had their own volunteers and ensured the area remained free of litter.”
Relatives of the deceased look around a classroom at Seoi Elementary School in Seoul, South Korea, on the afternoon of Sept. 4, the 49th anniversary of the teacher’s death.
Another police officer added, “We adhered to the schedule, maintained cleanliness, and strictly adhered to the rally’s designated duration,” going on to say, “I wish we were tasked with overseeing rallies of this nature exclusively.”
The majority of positive feedback stemmed from citizens who resonated with the rally’s purpose and were deeply impressed by the teachers’ commitment to maintaining order. Many voiced their desire to witness more such orderly protests in the future. Notably, there were no reports of any arrests for unlawful behavior during the rally.
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
