Principals Urge Crackdown on Teachers’ Illegal Acts

The Korea Elementary School Principals Association yesterday urged a crackdown on members of the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers Union who attended anti-U.S. beef rallies.

The association consists of 5,800 former and working elementary principals nationwide.

In a resolution, the principals demanded strong and strict prosecution of certain teachers for breaking social norms and the law.

They also demanded independent discretion of a principal to boost the quality of a public school; an end to competitive screening to elect a principal; abolishment of different pay systems between elementary and secondary school teachers; and the gradual reestablishment of a retirement age for teachers.

Association president Kim Dong-nae said, “The union members are politically biased. They ventured out for the candlelight protests and engaged in illegal activities. But the Education Ministry is just sitting on its hands.”

“The teachers urged their students to commit violent action without offering reasonable alternatives. They must be held liable. Certain union members have cried, ‘Goddamn education!’ How is that possible?”

In 50 summer training sessions slated from Thursday to Friday in Suwon, the association will announce the resolution and deliver it to Education Minister Kim Doh-yeon and other senior administration officials.

On Japan’s latest claim to the Dokdo islets, the association said, “We deplore the anachronistic infringement by the Japanese government, which claims sovereignty over the island.”

“By denying our sovereignty, Japan is trying to distort historical facts and harm the friendly relations of both countries.”

kky@donga.com