Webtoon artist Joo Ho-min to establish school for children with developmental disabilities, regardless of court ruling

Webtoon artist Joo Ho-min is embarking on a new venture: establishing a special school for adolescents with developmental disabilities. The announcement came via his YouTube channel, where he discussed societal perceptions and educational environments for individuals with developmental disorders.

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I was often told, 'Why didn't you send him to a special school?' But he functions well enough that he can't attend a special school, yet he struggles to adapt in a regular school. I call this the 'gray zone,' and there are so many children like this.

Joo highlighted the difficulties faced by children who fall into a "gray zone," struggling to adapt to mainstream schools yet not fitting neatly into special education settings. He shared his personal experience, noting that while his son managed first grade relatively smoothly, subsequent years presented significant challenges. "I was often told, 'Why didn't you send him to a special school?'" Joo recalled. "But he functions well enough that he can't attend a special school, yet he struggles to adapt in a regular school. I call this the 'gray zone,' and there are so many children like this."

He revealed that he and other parents facing similar concerns have been discussing the establishment of an alternative school for about three years. "Eventually, the saying 'If you're going to complain, do it yourself' became a reality," Joo explained. "We are now preparing to establish a school."

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Eventually, the saying 'If you're going to complain, do it yourself' became a reality. We are now preparing to establish a school.

Joo also addressed the ongoing legal case involving a special education teacher he sued in September 2022 for alleged emotional abuse of his child. The teacher was acquitted in the appellate court in February, but the prosecution has appealed, and the case is now before the Supreme Court. "The Supreme Court's decision is still unknown. The first trial found guilt, the second found innocence," Joo stated. "Because the secret recording could not be used as evidence, it became as if it never happened."

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The Supreme Court's decision is still unknown. The first trial found guilt, the second found innocence. Because the secret recording could not be used as evidence, it became as if it never happened.

He framed the legal battle as a conflict between the value of privacy and the protection of victims, mentioning that approximately 40,000 teachers have submitted a petition to the Supreme Court arguing for the primacy of the Communication Privacy Act. "Regardless of the outcome, those who want to curse will continue to curse," Joo asserted. "Whatever the result, I will go my own way. I will create a school for children in the gray zone and study together with them."

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Regardless of the outcome, those who want to curse will continue to curse. Whatever the result, I will go my own way. I will create a school for children in the gray zone and study together with them.