North Korean county officials fail to sway parents of bullied disabled student

In Musan county, North Hamgyong province, North Korean county officials attempted to convince parents of a disabled student to send their child back to school. The parents had refused, citing years of bullying that began in elementary school. Teachers at a middle school in the town center had already made multiple visits to the student's home after the child stopped attending classes, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

The student was born with a congenital spinal disability and was frequently subjected to derogatory language by classmates, leading to persistent bullying and social exclusion. The parents had initially planned to keep their child in school only long enough to learn basic reading and writing. While the teasing decreased as the child progressed in grade level, the student struggled to make friends and receive adequate support from classmates.

The parents were unwilling to have their child face similar treatment again, as they believed the child would likely end up in simple repair work after graduating. They hired a private tutor to teach the child computer skills at home, expecting that strong computer skills could provide better job prospects despite the physical disability.

County education officials visited the family to urge the parents to reconsider sending their child back to school, arguing that attending school alongside peers is essential for a child's growth into a productive member of society. However, the parents persistently held their ground, stating that they would take care of their child's future themselves and asking officials to stop pressuring a child with physical difficulties.

The situation has left the school in a difficult position, as the student's absence due to prolonged bullying leaves the school responsible for managing the case. Despite the involvement of county party education officials, the parents remain unyielding, and the issue remains unresolved.