25.06.15.Today News : Rhee-bak School-Linked Teacher Remained Active Despite Misconduct / Cheongju Arsonist Sets Fires, Then Dies by Suicide

1. Rhee-bak School-Linked Teacher Remained Active Despite Misconduct

• Teacher indicted for attempted rape listed as author and panelist under pseudonyms after suspension

A teacher affiliated with the far-right education group “Lee Park School” and its partner organization, the Korean Teachers' Union (KTU), continued to participate in organizational activities and publish educational content even after being suspended for attempted rape. The KTU is under fire for allegedly allowing him to remain active despite knowing his misconduct.

A teacher who was imprisoned for attempted rape was found to have been involved in Korean indoctrination.

Park, a 34-year-old elementary school teacher under the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, was sentenced to two years in prison in December last year for attempted rape. He allegedly lured a female acquaintance to a motel under the pretext of counseling for sexual harassment, then tried to assault her. He was suspended from his teaching duties shortly after the accusation was filed in December 2023.

Despite the suspension, Park was listed as a contributor in a book titled The Republic of Korea’s Social Studies Textbook, published in September last year by the Korean Teachers' Union (KTU), under the pen name “Park ○○.” The book has been criticized for emphasizing the achievements of former presidents Syngman Rhee and Park Chung-hee while downplaying their authoritarian regimes. Park reportedly wrote the chapters reassessing these presidents.

At the time his misconduct came to light, Park had over 5,000 followers on social media and regularly contributed education columns. On his profile, he listed himself as head of the KTU’s Curriculum Research Department and included the aforementioned book in his academic achievements.

Even after his suspension, Park continued to participate in KTU events using pseudonyms. In June 2023, he appeared as a panelist at a KTU-hosted seminar under the name “Kang ○○.” The same name appeared in a column published in the April 2024 issue of Monthly Chosun, where he criticized the lack of coverage on President Rhee’s contributions in school history education—aligning with the narrative of the KTU textbook.

The KTU is known for working closely with Lee Park School, a controversial far-right group accused of distorting historical narratives. Despite Park’s known misconduct, KTU appeared to condone his continued involvement using aliases. When contacted for comment, both Park and the KTU failed to respond.

One-line summary : A teacher convicted of attempted rape continued working under aliases with a far-right group linked to Rhee-bak School, sparking major controversy.

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2. Cheongju Arsonist Sets Fires, Then Dies by Suicide

• 60-year-old man targeted buildings linked to family conflict, left apology note before suicide

A man in his 60s started fires at three locations in Cheongju, including an apartment parking lot and office building, before jumping into a reservoir and taking his own life. Police believe the arson attacks were fueled by longstanding family grievances.

A man who fled after setting fire to three locations, including a multi-family home and an apartment parking lot, was found dead in a reservoir with a handwritten suicide note.

According to the Cheongju Sangdang Police Station and the Chungbuk Fire Department, the first report was received around 1:14 a.m. on June 15, stating that someone had set fire in front of a third-floor apartment door in Yongjeong-dong, Cheongju. Six residents were evacuated, but no injuries were reported. Only the entrance area was slightly damaged.

Approximately 20 minutes later, another fire broke out on the first floor of an office building on Sangdang-ro, which was extinguished in just three minutes. Around 2 a.m., a third fire erupted in the underground parking lot of a nearby residential-commercial apartment complex. Sprinklers activated automatically, preventing the blaze from spreading further.

Investigators reviewing CCTV footage identified the suspect as the same person across all incidents. The footage showed the man riding a motorcycle into the parking area, pouring flammable liquid near the elevator, and igniting it.

Authorities later discovered printed documents at the scene containing the man’s motives. The message, written in Korean, read: “This arson was born of deep resentment. I sincerely apologize to the innocent victims.” Police believe the man targeted buildings linked to family members due to unresolved conflicts.

After tracking the suspect, investigators found personal belongings near a local reservoir and later recovered his body around 7:10 a.m. Police have not disclosed the exact identity but believe the motive to be revenge related to family disputes.

While police are continuing to investigate, they acknowledged that the suspect’s death makes it difficult to confirm the full extent of his motivations.

One-line summary : A man in his 60s set multiple fires in Cheongju and was later found dead in a reservoir, leaving behind a note hinting at personal grudges.