Education is often described as the foundation of a nation’s future, and teachers are at the center of that foundation. In South Korea, a country known for its strong emphasis on education and academic achievement, teachers have traditionally held a respected position in society. However, recent incidents involving verbal abuse, threats, and even physical violence by parents toward teachers have raised deep concerns across the country. As cases of parent-led violence increase, many educators and citizens are beginning to ask: what is happening to the relationship between schools, parents, and society?
The problem is not new, but it has become more visible and more serious in recent years. In 2023 and 2024, several tragic cases gained national attention, including one where a teacher took their own life after experiencing continuous pressure and verbal attacks from parents. These cases shocked the public and revealed a harsh reality: many teachers are now working in fear, not just from difficult students, but from overly aggressive parents who interfere in school affairs and disrespect professional boundaries.
One of the main causes behind this trend is the increasing individualization and consumer-like mindset in education. Some parents now see schools as service providers and teachers as employees hired to serve their child alone. When a child receives a low grade, a warning, or any form of discipline, certain parents respond not with cooperation, but with blame or hostility. This has led to a situation where teachers are afraid to properly guide or manage their students, for fear of complaints, lawsuits, or being unfairly punished.
The consequences of this violence are serious and far-reaching. First, it damages the mental health and job satisfaction of teachers, leading to burnout, resignation, and teacher shortages. According to recent surveys, a growing number of teachers report feeling unsafe or unmotivated in their work environment. Second, it undermines the educational atmosphere in the classroom. When students see their teachers being disrespected or mistreated, they too may lose respect for authority and classroom rules. In the long term, this threatens the entire structure of public education, which depends on trust, cooperation, and mutual respect.
Furthermore, parent violence reveals deeper societal challenges, such as the lack of communication between schools and families, unrealistic academic expectations, and the overemphasis on individual achievement at all costs. Instead of working together to support children’s growth, some parents treat schools as battlegrounds, leading to conflict rather than cooperation.
To address this issue, South Korea must take bold and balanced actions. Legal protection for teachers must be strengthened, including clearer limits on parental interference and harsher penalties for harassment or violence. At the same time, schools need better systems for parent-teacher communication and conflict resolution. Public awareness campaigns can also help remind society that education is not a product to be consumed, but a shared journey that requires trust, patience, and understanding.
In conclusion, the rise of parent violence toward teachers is a warning sign that something is deeply broken in the way we view education. If we want our schools to be safe and inspiring places for learning, we must first restore respect for the people who teach. The classroom should be a space for cooperation and growth — not fear and hostility. It is time for Korea to stand with its teachers and rebuild the culture of mutual respect that true education depends on.
