Suicides among teachers trigger massive rally in South Korea

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Suicides among teachers triggered one of the largest-ever rallies by teachers in South Korea on Monday, demanding measures to prevent such tragedies.

At least three suicides were reported in the past few weeks in the country struggling with a falling birthrate and increasing elderly population, due to “distress” caused by “disgruntled parents and unruly students,” Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

The teachers demanded an investigation into the causes behind suicides by teachers and revision of the Child Abuse Crimes Act, one of the organizers said.

The suicides were reported in the capital Seoul and the southwestern city of Gunsan.

While many schools were closed on Monday, many of the participating teachers filed for a one-day leave to attend the rally.

Police have launched a probe into the death of a high school teacher who committed suicide after a lawsuit was filed against her by one of her students injured during class.