Gov't recognizes work-related death of kindergarten teacher who continued working despite influenza
Surviving relatives and an educational workers union argued that the teacher became ill because of excessive work and was unable to rest due to the kindergarten's closed and restrictive working environment.
An AI-generated image of an empty kindergarten classroom with a flower, a face mask and a coat left on a deskCHATGPT
A kindergarten teacher in their 20s who died after reporting to work despite battling a high fever caused by influenzahas been granted recognition for a work-related death.
The Ministry of Education's Teachers’ Pension approved a claim for survivor benefits for work-related death filed by the teacher’s relatives during a benefits review committee meeting held on Monday, according to the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU).
The late teacher, who worked at a private kindergarten in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, was diagnosed with Type B influenza on Jan. 27 but continued to work for three more days. On Jan. 29, the teacher worked until the evening despite a fever exceeding 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit).As their symptom worsened, the teacher was later sent to the hospital intensive care unit before dying on Feb. 14.
The committee had postponed a decision during its initial review last month, saying further discussion was needed. Following a second review on Monday, it recognized the teacher’s death as work-related, according to reports.
The bereaved family had previously submitted data to the pension corporation showing that 45 people, including 43 of the kindergarten’s 120 children and two teachers, caught influenza between October of last year and February, when the teacher died.
The family also turned over statements from colleagues who said they felt discouraged from taking sick leave.
“I feel awful. I’m heading home,” the teacher told an acquaintanceon Jan. 29.
Screencaptured images of KakaoTalk messages a Bucheon kindergarten teacher sent to an acquaintance before their deathKOREAN TEACHERS AND EDUCATION WORKERS UNION
The sick teacher’s body temperature reportedly rose to 39.8 degrees Celsius the following day.
“I feel terrible,” the teacher said to their family members in a message. “This is the worst I’ve felt while at work.”
She later sought medical treatment, but her condition deteriorated. She was treated in a hospital intensive care unit but died on Feb. 14.
The teacher's surviving relatives and the KTU had argued that the teacher became ill because of excessive work and was unable to rest due to the closed and restrictive working environment at the private kindergarten, ultimately leading to her death.
They had urged authorities to recognize the case as a work-related death.
“This decision is the first step toward restoring the dignity of the deceased,” KTU said in a statement Monday. “The Ministry of Education should immediately prepare measures to strengthen the public nature of private kindergartens and guarantee teachers’ right to health.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
