A 50-year-old teacher at an English-language academy for young children, who was indicted for abusing her students, has received a suspended prison sentence in her appellate trial.

On October 25, Criminal Appellate Division 2-3 of the Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Shin Soon-young) announced that it had sentenced A, a 50-year-old teacher charged with violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, to eight months in prison suspended for two years—the same sentence handed down in the original trial.

According to the investigation, A was put on trial for physically and emotionally abusing four toddlers, including a 3-year-old boy identified as B, at an English academy in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, in May 2023.

Investigations revealed that A struck a student's forehead with her palm and pulled their ears for reasons such as failing to bring a spoon case or not eating their meals properly.

A also excluded a student from class, leaving them alone in the academy hallway for over 30 minutes, and ate snacks right in front of a student who was being punished.

During the police investigation, child B stated, "I cried because I was hit hard on the forehead," and added, "Please don't tell Mom, because it will make her sad."

Previously, A appealed the ruling, claiming that the statements of some victimized children lacked credibility and that her actions constituted legitimate discipline intended to teach group living rules.

However, the appellate court stated, "There is no legal error in the lower court's recognition of the credibility of the victimized children's statements." The court explained, "The defendant's actions were likely to hinder the normal development of the victimized children or cause harm to their mental health, and the lower court's judgment finding her guilty is justified."

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