South Korean educators are expected to stage a walk-out to participate in a major rally on Monday. Aiming to demand better rights for educators, the protest is set to commemorate a 23-year-old teacher who took her life in July. This mobilization comes despite the government’s initial warning of potential disciplinary actions. However, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho has adopted a softer stance, urging educators to remain at schools while emphasizing students’ need for their presence.

The eve of the rally was marred by the news that two more teachers, one from Seoul and the other from North Jeolla Province, committed suicide, intensifying the spotlight on the educators’ movement. Saturday’s protest drew over 200,000 supporters in front of the National Assembly. Teachers are particularly frustrated with South Korea’s Child Welfare Act, arguing that its vagueness allows for unfounded child abuse allegations against them.

Why It Matters

In response to educators’ demand for a safe classroom environment and legal protections, the South Korean government has proposed various measures, which include revising the Child Welfare Act. Additionally, the Education Ministry has rolled out policies permitting teachers to manage disruptive classroom behavior more effectively and has partnered with the Ministry of Justice to form a task force focusing on shielding educators from parents’ child abuse claims.

The Yoon administration’s softer approach to the looming strike is a notable departure from its typical tough stance toward protests. While the administration has often projected a firm hand on strikes, this particular protest also affects young students and their parents — a demographic the administration can ill afford to alienate ahead of April’s parliamentary elections. The Yoon administration, alongside the ruling People Power Party, will likely tread carefully as any misstep that might compel educators to extend their protests could prove costly at the ballot box.