A Korean court has ruled that a teacher-parent who verbally attacked their child’s homeroom teacher over a performance evaluation must complete 12 hours of special education, upholding a school authority’s disciplinary measure.


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⚖️ Court & Outcome

Court: Seoul Administrative Court

Decision Date: December 4, 2025

Disposition Challenged: 12 hours of mandatory special education

Result: Plaintiff lost — disciplinary measure upheld



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🧾 What Happened?

The parent (A) is a high school teacher.

A’s child received a “B” grade on a performance assessment.

Dissatisfied, A:

Called the homeroom teacher (B).

Refused to accept detailed explanations about grading criteria.

Made insulting remarks, including:

“Kids these days really have no manners.”

“You should build your character first, junior.”

“Now I see why people say elementary teachers just come to school to play.”



A later:

Visited the school.

Shouted at B for about an hour.

Vented criticism in person.




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🏫 School’s Response

The Regional Teachers’ Rights Protection Committee concluded:

The conduct constituted repeated unjust interference with legitimate educational activities.

A was ordered to complete 12 hours of special education.


A filed a lawsuit, arguing:

It was merely a heated argument.

There was no “repeated” interference.

The measure was excessive and an abuse of discretion.



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🧠 Court’s Reasoning

The court rejected A’s claims, finding:

The teacher provided sufficient explanations.

A attempted to force their own position without legitimate grounds.

The insults were personal and degrading.

The interference was repeated within a short period (phone call + school visit).

The homeroom teacher suffered:

Severe humiliation.

Professional confusion.

Required psychiatric treatment.



The court also noted:

A filed an abuse report against B afterward.

There was no sign of remorse.



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⚖️ Why the 12-Hour Order Was Lawful

The court held:

Protecting teachers’ rights and educational activities is a strong public interest.

The measure aligned with regulatory standards.

The sanction was neither excessive nor an abuse of discretion.



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📚 Legal Significance

This case reinforces that:

Parents, even if they are teachers themselves, cannot verbally attack educators over grading disputes.

Repeated interference — even within a short timeframe — can qualify as infringement on educational activities.

Special education orders are viewed as corrective, not purely punitive.


In today’s increasingly tense school environments, the ruling sends a clear message:
Professional disagreement is allowed. Personal humiliation is not.

Article: https://www.lawtimes.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=216566