Two recent incidents involving students in Asia have reignited fierce debates about privacy, the responsibilities of educators, and the far-reaching consequences of social media exposure. In Vietnam, a physical altercation among seventh graders at Ton Duc Thang Secondary School in Gia Lai Province has prompted official investigations and calls for restraint in online commentary. Meanwhile, in South Korea, the tragic suicide of an 18-year-old student named Lee after images of her alleged shoplifting were circulated online has shocked the nation and brought the issue of digital privacy for minors into sharp focus.
On November 28, 2025, at around 1:15 p.m., a seemingly ordinary physical education class at Ton Duc Thang Secondary School took a distressing turn. According to official reports from the school and local authorities, a dispute over a borrowed art assignment escalated into a fight between students. The situation began when student Đ.T.N.T borrowed an art sheet from classmate T.T.P to submit to a teacher. When P later asked for the assignment back, T could not locate it. T.T.P reportedly threatened Đ.T.N.T, saying that if the assignment was not returned, there would be consequences. The tension boiled over when both T.T.P and another student, N.H.T, physically attacked Đ.T.N.T.
What made matters worse was that several students witnessed the altercation but did not intervene or alert a teacher. At the time, no educators were present to break up the fight, a lapse that has since come under scrutiny. After learning of the incident, the school administration moved quickly: teachers and the principal called in the students’ parents for a meeting, collected written statements from those involved, and reminded witnesses of their responsibilities.
The story might have ended there, but late on December 1, a video of the fight surfaced online and spread rapidly, drawing the attention of the Thong Nhat Ward People’s Committee. According to the official report from the committee, the local police and the social-cultural department worked closely with the school to investigate the incident and verify the events depicted in the video. Their findings matched the school’s account, confirming that while the fight was real, bystanders had failed to act and teachers were absent at the crucial moment.
In response, the school and the families of the students involved agreed on initial disciplinary measures. They committed to working together to improve student supervision and to strengthen educational efforts aimed at preventing school violence. The administration also promised to review the conduct of the homeroom teacher and others responsible for student management. “We have agreed to coordinate with the families in reminding, educating, and managing the students,” the school stated.
One of the most troubling outcomes has been the psychological impact on Đ.T.N.T, the student who was attacked. According to her family, she has shown signs of distress and has even requested a transfer to another school. The school’s leadership has tried to reassure both the student and her parents, pledging to ensure her safety and encouraging her to continue her studies. “We will ensure the safety of all students,” the administration said.
With the video of the fight still circulating online, local authorities have issued a public advisory. The Thong Nhat Ward police urged residents to “remain calm, follow updates from official sources and the school, and refrain from posting, sharing, or commenting negatively in ways that could harm the dignity and privacy of the students.” They emphasized that sharing images or videos involving minors without permission can cause psychological harm and disrupt social order. The police are continuing their investigation to clarify responsibilities and ensure that all parties are held accountable according to the law.
Across the East Sea, another story has unfolded with far graver consequences. On September 23, 2025, Lee, an 18-year-old student from Hongseong, South Korea, took her own life at home. The tragedy, reported by The Korea Herald and other outlets, began when Lee was caught on CCTV stealing ice cream from a self-service shop near her school. The shop owner, instead of handling the matter privately, sent the footage—without blurring Lee’s face—to a local tutoring center. The head of the center then showed the images to students, asking them to identify the thief. The images quickly spread among students and, before long, across the local community.
Lee, overwhelmed by the public shaming, became deeply anxious and afraid to leave her house. In messages to friends, she wrote, “What should I do now?” and “How can I go out in Hongseong anymore?” She confided to one friend that she had stolen the ice cream because she had no money, and that the total value was about 5,000 won (roughly 90,000 Vietnamese dong). Her mother planned to meet the shop owner to resolve the issue, but Lee died before the meeting could take place.
The incident has triggered a wave of soul-searching in South Korea, with many questioning the ethics and legality of posting unblurred images of minors accused of petty crimes. According to South Korean law, publishing identifiable images of individuals without their consent is illegal and can constitute defamation or a violation of privacy. Lee’s family has filed a complaint with the police, accusing both the shop owner and tutoring center staff of breaking data protection and media laws.
Some business owners argue that posting images of thieves is necessary to deter crime and protect their livelihoods. But critics counter that such public exposure, especially of minors, is not only illegal but also morally questionable. “If children steal, the issue should be addressed through proper legal and educational channels, not by exposing their faces to the public,” one commentator said, echoing a growing sentiment online. The debate has highlighted the need for a careful balance between protecting business interests and safeguarding the dignity and future of young people.
Both incidents—one a schoolyard fight in Vietnam, the other a case of public shaming in South Korea—underscore the immense pressures facing students today. They also reveal the dangers of social media and the internet in amplifying and prolonging personal crises. In both countries, authorities and educators are being called upon to strengthen safeguards for minors, promote ethical conduct online, and ensure that mistakes made in youth do not lead to lifelong scars.
As communities grapple with these painful episodes, the message from officials is clear: privacy, dignity, and compassion must guide our responses, both online and offline. The hope is that by learning from these tragedies, society can foster safer, more supportive environments for all students.