South Korea is facing an unprecedented rise in school violence, with the highest reported victimization rates since the government began tracking the issue in 2013. According to a recent survey by the Ministry of Education, 2.5% of students reported experiencing violence during the first half of 2025, marking a significant increase from 2.1% in the previous year. Elementary school students are the most affected, with a staggering 5% victimization rate, followed by middle school students at 2.1% and high school students at 0.7%. The survey, which included nearly 4 million students from fourth grade through high school, revealed that verbal abuse remains the most common form of violence, accounting for 39% of cases. However, group bullying, physical assault, and cyberbullying have also seen notable increases, with cyberbullying rising to 7.8% of cases. Sexual violence has also reached a record high, with 6% of respondents reporting incidents of harassment or assault. Alarmingly, 422 teenagers were arrested for deepfake sexual crimes in the first half of 2025 alone, representing nearly 60% of all such arrests. Despite the rise in self-reported victimization, official case filings have decreased, suggesting a disconnect between reported experiences and formal complaints. The Ministry of Education has pledged to implement preventive measures, including a ‘relationship restoration deliberation system’ to mediate minor cases and restore trust within school communities. ‘Rebuilding students’ social and emotional wellbeing is an urgent task,’ emphasized Lee Hae-sook, director of the ministry’s student health policy department. The ministry also plans to collaborate with other government agencies to address the growing complexity of cyberbullying and sexual violence.