The discussion of President Yoon Seok-yeol's martial law is a typical case that threatens democracy and the rule of law. The president claimed to eliminate anti-state forces and protect the free constitutional order, but the impeachment proposal by the opposition party and the handling of the budget were legitimate procedures according to the constitution and laws. Attempts to mobilize the military to maintain power, ignoring such legitimacy, should be criticized as illegal acts that betray the trust of the people.
Similar anti-democratic behaviors are appearing in the educational field. Some elementary school teachers used the organized power of the union to spread false facts and carried out group actions to pressure specific parents as malicious complainants. According to an investigative report by Jeonbuk Education Newspaper, most of their claims were baseless falsehoods. These false claims have led to a situation where not only some teachers but also parents ostracize the victims, students, and their guardians.
The damage to parents due to false facts has reached an irreparable level. As the damage spreads nationwide, if efforts to reveal the truth continue, it is possible to adequately punish those who have forgotten their educational status and committed deviant acts.
Actions carried out under the pretext of protecting teachers' rights seriously damage the essence of education and democratic values. Such behavior, backed by the powerful organization of the union, infringes on the rights of students and parents and is a serious problem that undermines trust in the educational field.
Attempts to solve problems with force are unacceptable in politics or education. The authority of teachers originates from the trust of students and parents, and attempts to abuse this to incite conflict or achieve goals threaten the educational community.
Organizations like unions must respect the rights of students and parents while protecting the rights of teachers. If organizational power falls into a tool to justify illegal activities, it leads to a result that damages democratic principles and fairness.
Just as the martial law controversy reminded us of the risk of power abuse, anti-democratic behavior in the educational field also reminds us of the principles and values we must protect. Through legal responses and self-regulation efforts, we must prevent the abuse of power and create a fair and trustworthy educational environment. This is not only a necessary process to solve current problems but also for future generations.
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