Why teachers in South Korea are scared of their pupils -- and their parents

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When fighting broke out in Kang Hyeon-joo's elementary school classroom, her heart would beat so fast she could not breathe and her vision would blur.

"They were throwing punches and kicking faces, throwing chairs and tables around," she recalled, adding she had been hurt trying to intervene.

For two years, Kang struggled to discipline her students - or cope with the parental backlash when she did. She claims her principal did nothing to help and would tell her simply to "just take a week off".

The strain took a dangerous toll. Kang says she started feeling the urge to jump in front of a bus. "If I just jumped at least, I would feel some relief. If I just jumped off a tall building, that would at least give me some peace."

Kang is currently on sick leave but is far from alone in her experiences.

Tens of thousands of teachers have been protesting in recent months, calling for more protection from students and parents. At one protest in Seoul last month, 200,000 gathered, according to organizers, forcing the government to take notice and action.