Kindergarten under investigation after teacher dies allegedly from working while sick
Published: 27 Mar. 2026, 17:43
Updated: 29 Mar. 2026, 14:47
![School buses are parked near an English-language kindergarten in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on March 13, 2025. The photo is unrelated to the story. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/29/c73b42c8-eed0-4541-8e6b-d4d25c3bc21f.jpg)
School buses are parked near an English-language kindergarten in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on March 13, 2025. The photo is unrelated to the story. [YONHAP]
A kindergarten teacher died in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, after being made to work while suffering from influenza at a facility that reportedly failed to follow the infectious disease guidance issued by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Ministry of Education.
The teacher, who died on Feb. 14, began feeling ill after attending a kindergarten orientation on Jan. 24. From Jan. 27, she suffered a high fever of over 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and was diagnosed with influenza B at a hospital.
Even though the private kindergarten knew of her diagnosis, it allegedly allowed her to continue working without recommending sick leave or rest, especially after hearing the teacher say that she felt better. It also did not notify the parents of the teachers' students, despite the risk that the children could be infected.
The teacher continued working until Jan. 30, three days after the diagnosis, and left work early that day after her temperature climbed above 39.8 degrees Celsius. Her condition then deteriorated quickly, and she died on Feb. 14.
The kindergarten where the teacher worked reportedly did not follow the 2025 influenza guidance for different types of facilities prepared by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Ministry of Education.
The guidance — drawn up under the School Health Act and related laws — states that students or staff members who have an infectious disease or are suspected of being infected may be exempted from attending school or work.
The exemption period lasts until 24 hours after a normal body temperature has been maintained without the help of fever-reducing medication. If fever reducers have been administered, a person may return to work only after at least 48 hours have passed after their last dose and their condition has been observed to be well.
![A KakaoTalk message the teacher sent to her family before her death [JOONGANG ILBO]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/29/96019fee-3610-4c1a-a11f-88e4449a111b.jpg)
A KakaoTalk message the teacher sent to her family before her death [JOONGANG ILBO]
The guidance is recommendatory rather than mandatory, and failure to follow it does not result in administrative sanctions. But because a relevant manual existed and was not followed, the kindergarten may be held accountable in a future audit or lawsuit.
The kindergarten’s response to her death has also been under scrutiny. Allegations have been raised that the kindergarten processed a fake resignation letter from the teacher after her family confirmed through the education authorities in Bucheon the existence of the letter dated Feb. 10 and bearing her signature.
“We never agreed to the processing of our daughter’s resignation,” the teacher’s father said. “The kindergarten [did that] on its own using a date from before her death.”
Education authorities have launched an audit into the case, including the failure to follow the guidance and the bereaved family’s allegation that the kindergarten faked a resignation letter on the teacher’s behalf without authorization.
“The audit department is looking into the case,” a Bucheon education official said. The authorities are also considering asking the police to investigate if the audit confirms that the resignation letter was forged.
![A woman and child are seen at a kindergarten in Seoul on Feb. 11, 2025. The photo is unrelated to the story. [NEWS1]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/29/83d898c0-7c70-4930-9095-342f7c60e348.jpg)
A woman and child are seen at a kindergarten in Seoul on Feb. 11, 2025. The photo is unrelated to the story. [NEWS1]
“The kindergarten knew about the influenza diagnosis, but it appears they were reluctant to use a substitute teacher because parents generally do not like that,” the kindergarten’s legal representative said. “We regret the decision not to recommend sick leave. We are sorry to the bereaved family and will provide all necessary support.”
“It would have been difficult to ask the grieving family for a death certificate, so the kindergarten processed her resignation as taking effect before her death,” the legal representative said. “The resignation letter was prepared after asking the family’s wishes. However, the unauthorized signature was a mistake by kindergarten representatives who lacked legal knowledge.”
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.
BY BYUN MIN-CHUL [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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