Teacher Ji Hye-bok, who was transferred and later dismissed after reporting a sexual violence case at school, returns to the school where the teacher originally worked on the 9th. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education issued a formal apology and pledged to improve protections for public-interest whistleblowers and the teacher transfer system.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said on the 8th that it had signed an agreement with Ji and a joint response committee to resolve the case and reform related systems.
Under the agreement, Ji will return to the original school as of the 9th of this month. After a court ruling overturning the dismissal became final in August, the education office said it would support administrative procedures for a stable return to duty and would calculate and retroactively pay unpaid salary, pay-grade increases and various allowances covering the period of dismissal.
Both sides agreed to withdraw complaints and criminal accusations already filed and to end the sit-in protest in front of the education office. Banners and tents installed and managed by the joint response committee will be removed on the 11th of this month at the new building and on the 18th at the Jongno building. Cho Kun-shik, superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, said, "I find it deeply meaningful that teacher Ji Hye-bok can return to school and that a conflict that has continued for a long time can be brought to a close." The superintendent added, "We will closely examine the shortcomings in systems and administration revealed through this case so that the same thing does not happen again."
