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Bullying is a prevalent issue that affects societies worldwide, and South Korea is no exception. In recent years, bullying has become a growing concern in the country, particularly within schools, where it is the most common form of violence. ^[1]

Numerous studies have documented the negative consequences of bullying victimization or perpetration, including adverse behavioral, emotional, and social outcomes such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and poor academic performance.The issue of bullying in Korea is a growing concern, and various efforts are being made to address it.

• According to a recent national report, the prevalent types of bullying experienced by elementary school to high school students in Korea are described as follows ^[2]:

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

• According to the "Prevalence of school bullying in Korean middle school students" study, it was found that 40% of all children were involved in school bullying ^[3]:

  Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

• According to the "Factors associated with bullying victimization among Korean adolescents" study, out of a total of 2,936 students, 1,689 were boys (57.5%), and 1,247 were girls (42.5%). The prevalence of bullying victimization varied by age group as the following ^[4]:

  Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

  The study observed a significant difference in bullying victimization between boys (45.0%) and girls (55.0%), with the prevalence decreasing as age increased.

Physical bullying is the use of physical force to intimidate or harm another person.

• The Curling-Iron School Violence Case in 2006 involved a female student named Kim who reportedly habitually physically bullied her friend Jeong. Kim is said to have extorted money from Jeong and subjected her to repeated physical assaults, including hitting her with a baseball bat, fists, and feet. Kim also scratched Jeong's chest with a hairpin and burned her arm with a curling iron. According to reports, Jeong endured the abuse for several months before finally reporting it to the authorities. Kim was subsequently arrested and charged with assault, extortion, and other related crimes. It was also reportedly the inspiration for a bullying scene in the popular South Korean drama "The Glory." ^[5]

• Another example of physical bullying in South Korea is the Gasoline Violence Case in 2020. This incident involved a group of same-age acquaintances who tied up a man named Park, covered his face with a hoodie, sprayed gasoline all over his body, and placed firecrackers on his knees before lighting them. The firecrackers caused a spark that ignited the gasoline, resulting in severe burns to Park's body. The incident was widely reported in the media and sparked outrage over the issue of school bullying in South Korea. The individuals responsible for the attack were arrested and charged with assault and other related crimes. ^[5]

Cyberbullying, defined as the use of electronic communication technologies, such as social media platforms, to harm or harass someone intentionally, has become increasingly prevalent in South South Korea, particularly on social media platforms such as Instagram and KakaoTalk, due to the country's technological advancements and the anonymity provided by the internet.

A study conducted in South Korea investigated the prevalence and factors associated with cyberbullying among adolescents. The study surveyed 4,000 adolescents from 24 middle and 24 high schools across the country. The results revealed that 34% of the respondents were involved in cyberbullying, either as bullies, victims, or both. Boys had a higher percentage of cyberbullying perpetration compared to girls. ^[6]

Not only has cyberbullying affected students in schools, but it has also affected celebrities. In some cases, celebrities have been targeted by anti-fans who flood their comments sections with harsh words as soon as they share a picture or express their feelings online.

• Kim In-hyeok, a professional volleyball player died at home in February 2022 due to "suspected cyber violence" ^[7]. For most of his professional career, Kim had been subjected to a barrage of offensive comments about his appearance, as well as rumours about his sexual identity. In August 2021, Kim called out his critics on Instagram, saying that he was tired of the constant bullying and malicious comments. He addressed the issue of hostile commentators and expressed his condemnation towards them through a written statemen on his Instagram account:
  • “All of these misunderstandings that I have ignored for the past ten years. I thought ignoring them would be the best, but now I am tired. None of you have ever seen me up close, and you know nothing about me, yet you constantly bully me with your malicious comments. Please stop. I’m so tired of them. No, I do not wear makeup, I have never worn makeup, I do not like men, I have a girlfriend, and no, I have never acted in any AV content in my life. Again, no, I did not put on mascara or any eye makeup. I put on toner and lotion, but if that’s makeup, then sure, I put on makeup.” ^[8]

• Hierarchy and Confucianism: South Korea has a hierarchical society, and this is reflected in the Confucian values that shape South Korean culture.^[9] These values emphasize respect for authority, obedience, and hierarchy.
  • Gapjil is a Korean term used to describe the abuse of power by those in higher positions towards those in lower positions. This abuse of power can occur in various settings, including schools and the workplace. In schools, teachers and older students may use their position of authority to bully younger or less powerful students. In the workplace, senior employees may use their power to mistreat and bully junior employees.

• Collectivism: Collectivism is a characteristic of South Korean society, in which individuals are expected to prioritize the needs of the group over their own needs. This societal trait can create pressure to conform to group norms, even if those norms are harmful or unjust. It has been hypothesized that in collectivist societies, there may be a higher prevalence of bullying incidents.^[10] In schools, this may manifest as the victimization of students who are perceived as different or who do not fit in with the dominant group.

• Gender:Bullying victimization in South Korea is significantly influenced by gender, with girls reporting a higher prevalence rate of 55% compared to boys at 45%. Research has indicated that boys are more prone to physical bullying, whereas girls are more inclined towards indirect bullying. ^[11]

The results of a study conducted in South Korea indicate that bullying victimization is significantly associated with several factors, including lower socioeconomic status (SES), poorer perceived relationship with parents, lower than average academic achievement, and more depressive symptoms. In particular, low SES appears to be correlated with bullying victimization, with previous studies suggesting that adolescents from families with lower SES are more frequently victimized and experience more severe long-term mental health consequences compared to those from wealthier social backgrounds.^[12]

Korean dramas, also known as K-dramas, are popular not only in South Korea but also in many other countries around the world. They have gained a reputation for their unique storylines, captivating characters, and cultural significance. In recent years, many K-dramas have featured storylines that address the issue of bullying. These dramas have illustrated the various forms of bullying, including physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, and have shed light on the negative consequences that bullying can have on individuals and society as a whole.

1. "School 2013" - The drama portrays the harsh reality of bullying in South Korean schools, with a focus on physical violence and social exclusion.
2. "The Golden Spoon": The drama explores the theme of bullying through the lens of financial and social class differences. The story follows a scholarship recipient from a low-income background who attends an elite school where he becomes the victim of severe bullying.
3. "Solomon's Perjury" - The story revolves around the investigation of a student's death, which was caused by bullying. The drama highlights the culture of silence and fear that often surrounds bullying in South Korean schools.
4. “The Glory”: The show follows the story of Moon Dong Eun, a former high school student who becomes a homeroom teacher at an elementary school. The series explores themes of bullying, trauma, and redemption as Moon Dong Eun confronts her past and tries to make a difference in the lives of her students.

The Korean entertainment industry has faced a number of high-profile bullying scandals in recent years. These scandals have sparked widespread public outrage and criticism, leading to calls for greater accountability and reform within the industry. ^[13]

• One of the most notable examples is the case of Mina from the girl group AOA. In July 2020, Mina took to Instagram to reveal that she had been bullied by her bandmate, Jimin, for years, leading to her departure from the group. Mina shared her story in a series of posts, detailing the emotional and physical abuse she endured, including being hit in the head with a guitar and having her hair pulled. The revelations sparked outrage among fans and the broader public, leading to calls for accountability and change within the industry. ^[14]
• Actor Ji Soo's case is a recent example of bullying and its consequences in the K-pop industry. Despite having just landed a lead role in the drama "River Where The Moon Rises," he was accused of verbal and physical abuse, blackmail, and sexual harassment by former schoolmates. Ji Soo admitted to his past actions and issued a public apology. ^[15] However, the production company decided to recast the lead role and reshoot the unaired scenes, leading to a lawsuit against the actor and his label KeyEast for KRW3 billion (S$3.6 million). ^[16] Ji Soo announced a hiatus on acting to enlist for his compulsory military service, effectively ending his career for the next few years.

In South Korea, there are several laws and policies in place to address bullying.

• The government enacted the Special Act on the Prevention of School Violence, which allows students to take action against bullying and aims to protect students from harm. While there was already a system in place to regulate school violence, the Act was enacted to more effectively protect victims and prevent bullying. Each school has its own self-governing Autonomy Committee responsible for conducting school violence prevention activities. According to the Act, students should take a neutral standpoint and protect victims in the event of school violence and use dispute resolution to resolve conflicts. ^[17]'
• The classification system used in Korea to categorize punishments for school bullying consists of nine different categories ^[18]:
  1. Level 1: Written apology to the victim
  2. Level 2: Forbidden from contact with the victim
  3. Level 3: Voluntary school service
  4. Level 4: Voluntary community service
  5. Level 5: Special educational program and behavioral therapy sessions
  6. Level 6: School suspension
  7. Level 7: Class change
  8. Level 8: School change
  9. Level 9: School expulsion (not applicable for secondary students)
• As of July 16, 2018, the Labor Standards Act (commonly referred to as the workplace anti-bullying law) legally prohibits workplace bullying under chapter 6-2, article 76. According to article 76-2, workplace bullying involves causing physical or mental harm to employees or creating a work environment that exceeds the appropriate scope of work by taking advantage of rank or relationships in the workplace. Employers are required by article 76-3 to promptly investigate any reports of workplace bullying and take necessary measures to support the victim and take action against the perpetrator. Employers who discriminate against or terminate victims who report bullying can face fines of up to 30 million KRW or imprisonment with labor for up to three years under article 109.^[19]
  • Revisions made on October 14th state that individuals who are involved in the investigation must keep the bullying confidential, or they may face fines of up to 5 million KRW. Employers who fail to investigate or take appropriate measures may also face fines of up to 5 million KRW. If the perpetrator of the bullying is the employer or a family member of the employer, they may face fines of up to 10 million KRW. ^[19]

• There is ongoing controversy over the Special Act on the Prevention of School Violence as whether school violence should be handled solely within the school, as it is considered a criminal offense.^[17]
• The age limit for criminal responsibility in South Korea has been a controversial issue when it comes to bullying. Critics argue that the current age limit of 14 is too high and does not provide adequate protection for victims. Younger students who engage in bullying behavior are often given light punishment or no punishment at all, leading to a lack of accountability and a sense of impunity. In addition, some argue that the current laws and policies do not go far enough in addressing the root causes of bullying. While punitive measures such as fines and imprisonment may deter some students from engaging in bullying, they do not address the underlying issues of social inequality, power imbalances, and lack of empathy that contribute to bullying behavior.
• The Labor Standards Act's workplace anti-bullying law has faced criticism for its loopholes and limitations, including those highlighted by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK). One such limitation is that the victim must report the bullying to their employer, who may also be the perpetrator of the abuse. Additionally, the law does not apply to workplaces with less than five employees, platform workers, freelancers, outsourced workers, domestic or family business workers, or workers of special employment types. According to a report by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL), between July 16, 2019 and June 2020, during which the anti-bullying law was in effect, 42.4% of reported workplace bullying cases were withdrawn and only 14.4% led to practical measures. ^[19]
  • Although individuals who defame others can be punished with up to a three-year imprisonment or a fine of 30 million won (US$25,000) as per the law, the maximum punishment is rarely imposed. Kim Tae-yeon, a lawyer mainly handling defamation and cyberbullying cases, noted that offenders are typically given light penalties like fines, and this is due to the lack of public awareness about the severity of such crimes. Kim suggested that society must change this perception and enforce the law's seriousness. ^[20]