A growing number of victims of school bullying in South Korea are speaking out about their experiences, often anonymously.
The movement, known as “Hakpok #MeToo,” has ensnared everyone from K-pop stars to baseball players, and accusations can be career-ending.
“I suffered from years of insomnia and depression as a result of my treatment at school,” said Pyo Ye-rim, a 26-year-old hairdresser who was bullied as a child.
“I finally decided to stop hiding and go public with my accusations, and as a result, one of my bullies was fired from their job.”
The problem of school bullying is widespread in South Korea. According to a 2020 survey, nearly one in five South Korean students have been bullied at school.
The problem is exacerbated by the country’s education-obsessed culture, where children can spend up to 16 hours a day studying.
In many cases, bullying goes unpunished. Teachers are often reluctant to intervene, and the statute of limitations on such crimes makes it difficult for victims to bring charges years later.
This has led to a growing sense of frustration among victims, who feel that they have no one to turn to. The Hakpok #MeToo movement is an attempt to give victims a voice and to hold bullies accountable.
The movement has had some success. In some cases, bullies have been fired from their jobs or expelled from school.
“School violence is endemic in South Korean schools,” said Noh Yoon-ho, a Seoul-based attorney who specializes in bullying cases. “It is a ‘collective trauma’ the country needs to process.”