Two substitute teachers, Kim Cho Won (26) and Lee Ji Hye (31), who lost their lives trying to save the children during the tragic sinking of the Sewol ferry, are yet to be acknowledged for their sacrifice.
Kukmin Ilbo released an exclusive reported earlier today which stated that Kim and Lee's death cannot be acknowledged as honorably as full-time teachers due to their temporary work status.
The Office of Personnel Administration, who is in charge of managing government employees, categorized a 'civil worker' as one that is "an employee engaged in work on a regular basis." Temp workers such as Kim and Lee are not 'regular' workers; therefore, they are not given the same merits for their deaths.
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Furthermore, the teachers aren't eligible to be deemed as martyrs for their deaths. On an accident report received by the Ministry of Health and Welfare from Headmaster Kim as a form of proof last month, the teachers were reported to have been found dead after descending to the fourth level of the ferry to help rescue the students. However, the Ministry declared that the report is not evidence enough to affirm the two teachers' risky rescue mission, and is currently demanding additional documentation.
Unfortunately, there is no other means of proof, as the person that related the incident previously--teacher Kang Min Kyu--took his own life right after the Sewol sinking.
Netizens are indignant regarding the situation at hand, expressing their disbelief at the sheer absurdity of emphasizing the teachers' employment status when they so selflessly sacrificed their own lives.
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