School Violence in South Korea on the Rise for Fourth Consecutive Year
Seoul, SouthKorea – A recent survey conducted by the South Korean Ministry of Education has revealed aconcerning trend: the percentage of middle and high school students reporting experiencing school violence has risen for the fourth consecutive year, surpassing 2% for the first time in11 years.
The survey, which was conducted in two phases, involved a comprehensive survey of all students in grades 4 through 12 (approximately3.98 million students) from April 15 to May 14, and a random sample survey of 4% of students in grades 4 through 11 (approximately 190,000 students) from September 18 to October 17 last year.
The comprehensive survey results showed that 2.1% of students reported experiencing school violence, an increase of 0.2 percentage points from the previous year. Thisupward trend has continued for four consecutive years, coinciding with the resumption of in-person classes following the COVID-19 pandemic. The random sample survey also showed a similar trend, with the proportion of students reporting school violence rising to 1.7%, a 0.1 percentage point increase from the previous yearand the highest level since 2018.
The survey data highlights a particularly worrying trend: younger students are more likely to experience school violence. The percentage of students reporting school violence was highest among elementary school students (4.2%), followed by middle school students (1.6%) and high school students (0.5%). The random sample survey showed a similar pattern, with 3% of elementary school students, 1.2% of middle school students, and 0.4% of high school students reporting experiencing school violence.
The survey also categorized the types of violence experienced by students. Verbal abuse was the most commonform, accounting for 39.4% of reported incidents. Physical violence decreased from 17.3% to 15.5%, while cyberbullying increased from 6.9% to 7.4%. Sexual violence and extortion accounted for 5.9% and 5.4% of reported incidents, respectively.
The findings of this survey underscore the need for continued efforts to address the issue of school violence in South Korea. The Ministry of Education has pledged to implement a range of measures to prevent and respond to school violence, including:
- Strengthening school-based anti-bullying programs: This includes providingteachers with training on how to identify and address bullying, and developing curriculum that promotes positive social interactions and conflict resolution skills.
- Improving reporting mechanisms: The ministry is working to create a more accessible and confidential system for students to report bullying incidents.
- Increasing awareness and education: The ministry is launching public awareness campaigns toeducate students, parents, and teachers about the dangers of bullying and the importance of reporting it.
- Providing support for victims: The ministry is working to ensure that victims of bullying have access to counseling and other support services.
The South Korean government recognizes the seriousness of the issue and is committed to taking comprehensive steps to addressit. However, the rising trend in school violence highlights the need for a multi-pronged approach that involves not only the government but also schools, parents, and the wider community.
It is crucial to create a school environment where all students feel safe and respected, and where bullying is not tolerated. This requires acollective effort to foster a culture of empathy, understanding, and respect.
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