Nearly eight in 10 disciplinary measures in school violence cases left no official record, as coerced fights known as the yacha rule spread.
New forms of school violence, including one that forces victims of bullying into physical fights, are on the rise. Many of those responsible for such violence go nearly unpunished, a lawmaker said Monday, citing relevant data from the Education Ministry.
According to the data submitted to Rep. Han Byung-do of the ruling Democratic Party, 490 cases of such violence were subject to a review by school disciplinary committees between 2024 and August this year.
A total of 1,961 disciplinary measures were taken against 1,232 students involved, but 1,523, or 77.7 percent, of those measures were considered “light” as they leave no official records of the incidents or their punishment, according to the lawmaker. Such measures include requiring a written apology and orders to keep a distance from victims.
Less than 10 percent, or 193, of the measures involved suspensions or school transfers.
The report comes amid an apparent spread of the so-called yacha rule, where victims are pushed into unwanted physical fights under the guise of mutual agreement.
“There needs to be a detailed guideline to determine the level of involvement by organizing, watching, filming or circulating videos of [such fights] so as to identify coercion disguised as consent,” Han said.
Police have warned that the yacha rule is a crime regardless of mutual consent, and even with a written agreement.
Yonhap
