Elementary school kept no record after bullied student tried to jump from 3rd floor

An elementary school on Jeju Island left no official record after a fifth-grade student with a multicultural background attempted to jump from a third-floor window following more than a year of bullying, according to media reports Tuesday.

The student, who was born in China and moved to Jeju in second grade, tried to jump from a third-floor window during lunchtime on Nov. 28, 2025, after classmates allegedly called her “disgusting,” told her to transfer to another school and repeatedly insulted her Chinese background.

Two classmates grabbed her arms before she could fall.

Her homeroom teacher informed her mother of the incident more than three hours later, saying the student had told teachers she felt her mother disliked her and that she was struggling because classmates were bullying her.

Despite the seriousness of the incident, the school had no formal report, crisis management committee records, counseling records or other official documentation related to it, according to responses to information disclosure requests filed by the student’s mother. The local education office also said it had no relevant records to disclose.

The student’s family has accused the school of concealing the incident, arguing that the absence of formal documentation and follow-up measures allowed the bullying to continue.

The bullying reportedly began during the second semester of fourth grade and continued for more than a year.

Several students repeatedly made derogatory remarks about the student’s country of origin and her Chinese biological father, according to findings by a school violence review committee.

They also wiped themselves with water or tissues after coming into physical contact with her. In a group chat, students posted a reference to her being Chinese along with a photograph of a man dressed in an unusual outfit.

The November incident came to light again in April after the parent of one of the classmates who had stopped the attempted jump discovered a group chat in which students were bullying the girl and reported it to the school.

After learning that the bullying had continued, the student’s mother repeatedly asked the school and education authorities to take stronger measures to protect her daughter.

In May, she requested that her daughter be separated from the students accused of bullying her. She also asked that the November incident and subsequent cyberbullying be treated as connected cases, arguing that some of the same students were involved.

The family later alleged that the school’s newly appointed principal sought to discourage further action over the attempted jump.

The mother also filed a civil petition seeking stronger protection, including the suspension or transfer of students accused of bullying her daughter, and later requested an audit of school administrators. Education authorities did not order the students transferred.

At a school violence review committee hearing on June 24, the mother again sought their transfer, arguing that “the victim’s life and safety must be guaranteed before the rehabilitation and education of the perpetrators.”

The committee instead imposed disciplinary measures including suspension, community service and special education.

The family continues to question whether the school responded appropriately to the November incident and whether earlier intervention could have prevented the bullying from continuing.

If you’re thinking about self-harm or suicide, contact the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s helpline at 109, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please request a translator for English-language services.