‘Suing a Special Education Teacher’ Joo Ho-min, Protests with Sign for Autistic Son: “If Not Recording, What Else Can Protect Us?” [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Webtoon artist Joo Ho-min raised his voice demanding that recording be permitted in cases where abuse of children with developmental disabilities is suspected.

On the 6th, Joo Ho-min attended a press conference held in front of the Seocho-gu Supreme Court by 10 disability organizations, including the Coalition for the Advancement of Disability Rights.

Joo Ho-min appealed, “Please establish standards that allow the law to reach those who have difficulty speaking for themselves or leaving evidence.”

He stated, “My son has an autism spectrum disorder. My son, who was 9 years old at the time of the incident, cannot explain what he experienced,” and added, “The recording made by my son’s mother served as evidence revealing the abuse in the first trial, but it was not accepted in the second trial on the grounds that it was done by the parents.”

He continued, “Even though the same words were recorded, that voice was erased from the trial depending on who pressed the button,” and said, “I am not saying we should put recorders in every classroom. If recording is not allowed for those who cannot explain their victimization or leave evidence in places without CCTV or witnesses, what can they use to protect themselves?”

Joo Ho-min emphasized, “Even though you do not know our family well, you signed the petition. It is because you understood that this is not just an issue for one child or one family, but a problem for many people who have difficulty speaking for themselves,” and added, “Our son is growing up as a teenager and gradually learning to express himself. I hope he will tell his own story in his own voice, and until that day, I will speak on his behalf.”

Joo Ho-min also held a sign reading “Recognize exceptions to the recording ban, guarantee the right to defense for abuse victims!” and chanted slogans with other participants. After the press conference, he directly submitted a petition signed by over 24,000 people to the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Special Education Teacher A was indicted on charges of emotionally abusing the victimized child after making remarks such as “You are truly hateful, what is in your head,” “Your manners are extremely bad,” and “I hate you to death. I also hate you, really hate you” during a class in an individualized learning room at the elementary school where he worked in September 2022.

The investigation into this case began when Joo Ho-min’s side reported Teacher A to the police on charges of child abuse based on content recorded by a recorder placed in his son’s coat.

Previously, the first-instance court suspended the sentence of a 20 thousand won fine for Teacher A, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Special Act on Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes. However, the second-instance court ruled that the evidence capacity of the secretly recorded file by Joo Ho-min’s side, which was the central issue in the case, could not be recognized, and acquitted him.

In response, the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office appealed against the appellate court’s acquittal ruling, and is awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court.

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*This content was translated by AI.