In today’s world, teaching children to be “obedient” at all costs can have devastating consequences. A child who is taught to stay silent, bow their head, and endure everything without question may grow up afraid to speak out, unaware of their right to set boundaries, and incapable of protecting themselves from harm.
When children are not taught to assert themselves, they risk becoming silent victims — suffering in isolation, too afraid to ask for help. In contrast, a child taught self-worth, emotional awareness, and the right to resist abuse is empowered to protect themselves and others.
🗣 “Speaking out is not wrong — it is a right, and it can save lives.”
This heartbreaking story from South Korea is a painful reminder of why this lesson is so important.
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| A part of the farwell lettere left by the student |
In June 2021, a high school junior in Gwangju, South Korea, tragically ended his life on a hillside near his home.
That morning, he said goodbye to his family with the words: “I’m going to school now.” He never returned.
The day before, he had written a farewell letter, apologizing to his parents:
“Mom, Dad… I’m sorry. I know this must be a shock. But if I continued living, I don’t think I could face you anymore.”
In his letter, he also listed the names of classmates and wrote:
“Being beaten at school was humiliating and painful, but thanks to you, I could still smile sometimes.”
His death only drew national attention after his family posted a plea on the Blue House petition board, demanding justice. The petition gained over 210,000 signatures, forcing an official response from the Presidential Office. Then–Vice Minister of Education Jeong Jong-cheol promised a special investigation.
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| A "school bullying" plea on Blue House petition board |
According to the investigation, the boy had endured over a year of relentless bullying by 10 classmates. The abuse included:
- Choking him unconscious repeatedly, for no reason, as a “game”
- Sexual harassment and forced stripping
- Physical beatings on his shoulders, face, arms, stomach, hips, thighs, and head
- Public humiliation, being forced to lie down while others climbed on top in a “hamburger” game
- Threats of rape toward his sister and girlfriend
- Forced dancing and errands, while being filmed and mocked in class group chats
Only once was there a so-called "reason": the boy had splashed rainwater on a bully and was made to buy bread as punishment.
After discovering the truth behind their son’s suicide, the family took legal action. A concerned parent submitted a video showing the boy being choked until unconscious.
One of the bullies, shockingly, was even assigned to carry the coffin during the funeral.
The family submitted all evidence to the police and shared their story publicly. The boy’s mother wrote a handwritten letter online:
“My son, you said I should cry for only a week and then smile again, but I can’t. I miss you so much. Instead, I promise I’ll punish everyone who hurt you.”
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| The student's mother written hand letter |
The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education revealed that the school violated protocols from the beginning.
- The homeroom teacher witnessed an assault but didn’t escalate the issue properly.
- The disciplinary officer failed to act or notify parents or the school administration.
- The principal, vice principal, and disciplinary lead remained unaware of the abuse throughout the year.
As punishment:
- The disciplinary lead was suspended for a month
- The principal had one month’s pay docked
- The homeroom teacher was reprimanded
In criminal court, the bullies refused to take responsibility, claiming the abuse was “just boys playing around.” Still, the court convicted four students and sentenced them to:
- 1 to 2.5 years in prison (youth detention, due to their age)
- 1 suspended sentence
- 3 fines ranging from 300,000 to 500,000 won
- 2 students’ cases were transferred to juvenile court
In March 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the convictions.
Separately, a civil court in Jinju ordered all 10 bullies and their parents to pay approximately 270 million won in damages. The court found a direct causal relationship between the sustained bullying and the student’s suicide.
The judgment noted:
“The prolonged, public bullying stripped the victim — a 15–16-year-old student — of his self-esteem and will to live.”
In his final letter, the boy blamed no one but himself, showing his gentle and forgiving nature — traits which, tragically, were exploited by others.
This case is a tragic wake-up call. Don’t raise your children to blindly obey. Raise them to respect themselves.
Teach them:
- How to say “no”
- That their feelings and boundaries matter
- That speaking up is not wrong — it is powerful
📚 Learn Korean Through This Heartbreaking Story
Korean Text:
“‘엄마 아빠 일주일만 딱 슬퍼해 주고 그 다음부턴 웃으면서 다녀주세요. 저는 엄마 아빠가 웃는 게 너무 좋거든요. 제가 진짜진짜 사랑해요.’ ‘엄마가 그 부탁은 들어줄 수가 없어. 네가 너무 그립거든. 대신 너 힘들게 했던 사람들 전부 혼내줄게.’ – 학생의 유서 내용 일부.”
Key Vocabulary:
- 유서 (yu-seo) – will / suicide note
- 슬퍼하다 (seul-peo-ha-da) – to be sad / to grieve
- 웃으면서 다니다 (ut-eu-myeon-seo da-ni-da) – to go about smiling
- ~거든요 (~geo-deun-yo) – used to explain or justify something (soft, emotional tone)
- 진짜진짜 (jin-jja jin-jja) – really really / very much (repetitive for emphasis)
- 그립다 (geu-rip-da) – to miss (someone/something emotionally)
- 부탁 (bu-tak) – request / favor
- 들어주다 (deul-eo-ju-da) – to accept / grant (a request)
- 혼내주다 (hon-nae-ju-da) – to scold / punish
- 힘들게 하다 (him-deul-ge ha-da) – to cause hardship / trouble someone
Grammar Notes:
- ~만 딱 – "just only": 일주일만 딱 슬퍼해 주세요 → “Please grieve for just one week.”
- ~게 너무 좋거든요 – expressing emotional: 엄마 아빠가 웃는 게 너무 좋거든요 → “Because I really love seeing you smile.”
- ~해줄 수가 없어 – strong negative; "I just can’t do it": 그 부탁은 들어줄 수가 없어 → “I just can’t grant that request.”
- 대신 – "instead" or "in return": 대신 너 힘들게 했던 사람들 전부 혼내줄게 → “Instead, I’ll punish everyone who hurt you.”
Translation:
"‘Mom and Dad, please just be sad for one week, and after that, go on smiling. I really love seeing you smile. I love you so, so much.’ ‘Mom can’t grant that request. I miss you too much. But instead, I’ll make sure everyone who hurt you is punished.’
– Excerpts from a student’s suicide note."
Keywords
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