In a case involving accusations of child abuse, a special education teacher identified as A has been sentenced to imprisonment. The charges were brought forward after A was accused of emotionally abusing the son of webtoon artist Joo Ho-min. During the appeal hearing held on the 21st, the prosecution demanded a 10-month prison sentence along with a three-year employment ban for A, based on violations of the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes and the Welfare of Disabled Persons Act.
The prosecution argued that despite being obligated to report child abuse crimes, A instead emotionally abused the child and showed no remorse or effort towards victim recovery, nor received forgiveness from the victim’s family. They noted the erroneous judgment in the first trial which failed to recognize the intent of abuse, emphasizing the susceptibility of autistic children to auditory stimuli and how loud, irritated speech could serve as a stress factor.
Joo Ho-min’s legal team underscored the lasting emotional impact of non-physical abuse on victimized children. Meanwhile, A’s defense asserted that the original court erroneously accepted as evidence recordings that Joo Ho-min’s parents secretly made, which they argued should not be admissible.
In a final statement, A rejected the accusations, expressing disbelief at being labeled a child abuser after a 20-year teaching career, insisting they were never ashamed of their teaching conduct.
Joo Ho-min initially filed charges in 2023, alleging A had abused his son B, who exhibits autistic tendencies. This followed an incident in September 2022 where B exhibited inappropriate behavior during class, prompting his reassignment to a special class after which he began refusing school, leading the parents to record A without consent.
The first court adjudicated that although the recordings were made illegally, their evidential value was recognized considering the case’s unique context involving an autistic child, and thus found A guilty of emotional abuse, resulting in a conditional suspension of a 2 million won fine. The appeal’s verdict is scheduled for February 18th.
Public opinion is divided, with some supporting the parents of the victimized child, questioning the appropriateness of a special education teacher’s conduct, while others sympathize with A, considering the challenges faced by the teacher and the current state of special education.
Reporter Baek Ji-eun ([email protected])