An Min-seok, the Gyeonggi-do Education Superintendent-elect, called for the creation of a new organization to protect teacher and student learning rights.
The proposal comes as South Korea faces a growing struggle over classroom authority. An Min-seok said that the collapse of teacher rights is putting education in a comprehensive crisis [1].
During an appearance on CBS "Park Seong-tae’s News Show" on the 16th [1], the superintendent-elect discussed the need for a dedicated body to safeguard educators. The concept draws inspiration from the Netflix drama "True Education," which depicts a specialized agency managing problematic students.
Following these remarks, several teachers with backgrounds as former Marines and Special Forces personnel contacted An Min-seok [1]. These educators expressed a desire to join the proposed Gyeonggi-do Teacher Protection Agency, saying they would become the region's version of Na Hwa-jin, the protagonist of the aforementioned drama [1].
Despite the enthusiasm from former military personnel, An Min-seok noted the limitations of applying a fictional model to real-world schooling. He said that a teacher protection agency is difficult to establish in reality. He said that children must not be hit, even with a flower [1].
The initiative seeks to balance the restoration of teacher authority with the protection of students. By establishing a formal agency, the Gyeonggi-do education office aims to mitigate the systemic failures that lead to the erosion of classroom discipline, and professional security [1].
“The collapse of teacher rights is putting education in a comprehensive crisis”
The proposal reflects a growing desperation among South Korean educators to reclaim classroom authority through structured, institutional support. While the reference to 'True Education' suggests a desire for more assertive discipline, the superintendent-elect's caution against physical punishment indicates an attempt to modernize teacher protection without violating contemporary child welfare standards.
