South Korea Education Ministry to Distribute Hate‑Speech Response Guidebook to All Schools

The Ministry of Education and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education are preparing a booklet, tentatively titled “Hate and Discrimination Response Guidebook,” for distribution to schools nationwide beginning the second semester.

The guidebook, modeled on a 2020 publication, will outline the definition and risks of hate speech, the responsibilities of teachers and staff, and practical steps students can take if they experience or witness such language.

It is being issued in response to the controversy over a Baekjae High School baseball‑team “Starbucks” cheer that highlighted the use of hateful expressions among students.

The manuals will be sent to 16 regional education offices, with the final version slated for release around August 15, Korean Liberation Day.