A Seoul teacher who was transferred and later dismissed after reporting that multiple female students had been sexually harassed will return to school Wednesday, ending a more than two-year solo protest.
Ji Hye-bok reached an agreement with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on Tuesday, clearing the way for her to resume her duties.
“I wanted to return to the classroom to protect the victims and help establish a culture of gender equality, but all of the victims have already graduated,” Ji told local news outlet OhmyNews.
“I feel sad and empty because it has become difficult to keep my promise even if I return now, since the victims are gone.”
Ji played a key role in bringing to light reports in 2023 that multiple female students at her school had been subjected to sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence by male students.
She asked education authorities to intervene over violations of the students’ rights. A subsequent investigation resulted in written apologies from the male students found responsible.
Education authorities, however, ordered Ji’s transfer in December 2023, effective March 2024, citing the need to reduce teaching staff amid declining student enrollment.
Ji argued that the transfer was retaliation for her whistleblowing. She refused to report to the new school and began a solo protest outside the Seoul education office in January 2024.
She was dismissed in September that year for repeated unauthorized absences.
In January, the Seoul Administrative Court recognized Ji’s actions as public-interest whistleblowing and overturned her transfer, finding that it constituted an unlawful disadvantageous measure against a whistleblower. The court separately overturned her dismissal in July.
Both rulings became final after the education authorities decided not to appeal.
Under Tuesday’s agreement, the education office will provide the administrative support and other assistance needed for Ji to return to school and resume her duties.
Seoul Superintendent of Education Jung Geun-sik also issued an official apology to Ji, the students affected by the sexual violence and their guardians.
He expressed remorse over the difficulties experienced by members of a joint action committee and other supporters who had campaigned alongside Ji through prolonged protests and sit-ins.
The education office said it would investigate and evaluate how the school handled the sexual violence case, including the measures taken to protect the victims, Ji’s transfer and the protection provided to her as a public-interest whistleblower. The findings will be used to improve related systems and procedures.
It also pledged to strengthen its response to sexual violence in schools and provide victims with faster and more comprehensive protection and recovery support.
“I believe it is meaningful that Ji can return to school and that this long-running conflict can finally be brought to an end,” Jung said.
“We will closely examine the institutional and administrative shortcomings exposed by this case so that the same thing does not happen again.”
Ji is expected to remain at the school for the rest of the semester before reaching the mandatory retirement age next year.
seungku99@heraldcorp.com
