Traditional music teachers exploited authority to sexually abuse students: Court records
Sex crimes in the traditional Korean music community persist, fueled by the enormous influence teachers wield over students’ future careers and the close-knit, insular nature of the industry. Following the Hankook Ilbo’s in-depth coverage of sexual exploitation in the traditional music scene, victims continued to come forward with accounts of widespread sexual harassment and assault. Court…
Sexual abuse scandals continue to plague the traditional Korean music community, driven by the immense power wielded by instructors over students' professional futures and the isolated nature of the industry. In the wake of the Hankook Ilbo's extensive investigation, additional allegations of sexual harassment and assault have emerged.
Court records dating back to 2010 and spanning until 2026 have shed light on the gravity of the situation. An analysis conducted by the Hankook Ilbo of these court rulings revealed that seven out of the 11 cases involved sexual offenses against minors. Four of those cases specifically targeted victims under the age of 13. Even among cases involving adult victims, it became apparent that perpetrators exploited their authority to perpetuate abuse.
The victims, regardless of their age, found it challenging to come forward and report the crimes. Some were compelled to leave the traditional music community altogether due to fear and intimidation. The majority of these heinous acts occurred within the confines of lesson rooms or class settings, where the instructors held significant sway over their students.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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