Korean Criminal Child Abuse Defendant Found Not Guilty by Korean Courts

South Korea is renowned for its highly competitive and education-centric culture, where parents are deeply invested in their children’s academic success. This intense focus often leads to heightened sensitivity regarding educators’ treatment of their students. In many cases, parents may wrongfully report teachers to the police for actions that are minor or intended as educational guidance for child abuse and like charges.

Korean Child Abuse Defendant
Found Not Guilty by Korean Supreme Court

The recent Korean Supreme Court ruling in Case 2021Do13926 highlights the ongoing need to balance the protection of students in Korea with the professional discretion and authority of teachers. In this case, the Korean Supreme Court acquitted an elementary school teacher who had pulled a student’s arm to stand them up, determining the act to be a legitimate form of educational guidance rather than an instance of child abuse. The judgment emphasized that educators’ professionalism and authority must be upheld in the school setting. The case is welcome guidance to prosecutors and the police in determining whether to charge and prosecute.

At IPG Legal, we recently defended a foreign teacher in South Korea who faced a criminal charge for alleged child abuse for a minor disciplinary action taken against a child.

The Criminal Defense Team at IPG Legal successfully secured a “non-guilty” verdict during the police investigation stage, arguing that a minor disciplinary action does not constitute child abuse in Korea. If you are facing criminal charges in South Korea, please contact IPG Legal for a legal consultation. To schedule a call with an attorney, please Schedule a Call Here. 

by Mina KIM (Korean Attorney-at-Law)