The South Korean Ministry of Education unveiled new guidelines for teacher-student interactions following the death of an elementary school teacher whose death raised concerns about potential infringements on teacher rights. Effective from the upcoming fall semester, the guidelines allow teachers to confiscate and inspect students’ phones or eject students causing disruptions in the classroom. Additionally, while teachers must pre-arrange consultation times with parents, they reserve the right to decline meetings outside work hours or on non-job-related topics. Any consultations marred by threats or violence against teachers can be immediately halted by the teachers.

The ministry also rolled out a directive that empowers kindergartens to enforce stringent measures if a guardian or parent violates a teacher’s rights, including possible suspensions or expulsions of the children from kindergartens or mandating guardians to undergo educational and counseling programs.