Teachers in South Korea demand protections against unfair child abuse claims

Protesters, mostly teachers, join the rally at the Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday calling for the revision of South Korea's child abuse law. - Photo from Yonhap via The Korea Herald/ANN

SEOUL (the Korea Herald/ANN): Over 30,000 teachers and supporters rallied in downtown Seoul during the weekend, calling for the revision of South Korea's child abuse law, which they argue allows parents unjustly to accuse teachers of misconduct without a thorough investigation.

The protesters say the current law, referred to as the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, permits parents to accuse teachers of child abuse and report them to law enforcement without thoroughly investigating the situation or providing opportunities for the teachers to defend themselves.