제자들 없는 텅 빈 학교...'쓸쓸한 스승의 날'
South Korea celebrates Teachers' Day every May 15th and normally it's a day for teachers and students to make some unforgettable memories.
But this year's COVID-19 pandemic means that instead of gift-giving and surprise parties, the celebrations have been muted.
Kim Sung-min reports.
Elementary school teacher Shin Seung-hee is sitting in an empty classroom, recording a video for her online classes.
She asks questions, but receives no replies as no students are online.
The school semester got further delayed due to the recent cluster infection of COVID-19 from Seoul's Itaewon district.
"Does it look the same or is there a difference? (...) Okay."
Teachers haven't even met their students face-to-face yet.
"Although I haven't had the chance to get to know you guys..., I hope you can resume your normal daily routines."
Students' absence is more noticeable than ever as South Korea celebrates Teachers' Day on May 15th.
A small computer screen is not enough to get close to students.
" It used to be a huge pleasure to receive letters and drawings from my students..., so I feel so sad."
A teacher about to start her first year teaching cannot wait to meet her first students.
"I try my best to do what I can at the moment so I can be more helpful for my students later on."
It's one of the eeriest Teachers' Day ever in South Korea, and instead of enjoying the day with their students, South Korea's teachers are still waiting to meet them for the first time.
Kim Sung-min, Arirang News.
