Teacher Ordered to Pay Damages for Taekwondo Team Sexual Harassment Causing Emotional Distress

A court has held a Taekwondo coach teacher at a high school in Daegu and the school administration liable for damages after the teacher showed students explicit videos and forced them to dance. Four victims and seven parents filed a lawsuit against the perpetrator teacher, the principal, and the school foundation. The Daegu District Court ruled that they are jointly liable for damages. The coach teacher was previously referred to trial on child abuse charges and sentenced by the Supreme Court to one year in prison with two years of suspension.

The court ruled that the perpetrator teacher caused mental anguish to the victims and their parents through the incident, and that as a supervisor of the teacher's official duties, there is a liability to compensate for damages. The court ordered the joint payment of approximately 15 million won to the victim who suffered the greatest harm, 5 million won each to the other three victims, and 1 million won each to the seven parents.

The victims maintained their position that a sincere apology must come first.