HONG KONG, May 29 — A Hong Kong secondary school principal has resigned after a video showing him swearing at security guards during a student trip to Singapore sparked widespread backlash online.

According to the South China Morning Post, Lee Cheuk-hing submitted his resignation yesterday as principal of San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School in Tuen Mun.

School manager Edmund Wong Chun-sek confirmed the resignation, but said the school’s board of directors would need to meet before deciding whether to accept it.

In a video released later yesterday, an emotional Lee repeatedly apologised to the public in Hong Kong and Singapore, acknowledging that his conduct had fallen short of the standards expected of him.

“As a principal, I should lead by example. Regardless of the circumstances, I should remain calm and restrained. But unfortunately, I failed to do so,” he said.

The video showed Lee in tears as he addressed the controversy.

“I admit [my mistake] and apologise to everyone,” he added.

Lee also said he would fully cooperate with investigations by Hong Kong’s Education Bureau and the school board.

The controversy stems from an incident on May 22 at Safra Jurong in Singapore, where Lee was filmed confronting two security guards during a dispute involving a bus carrying students on an overseas study trip.

According to Singapore-based news outlet AsiaOne, the bus had reportedly stopped near the entrance of the clubhouse, obstructing other vehicles from entering the premises.

Footage that later spread across social media allegedly showed Lee telling the guards to “shut up”, while pulling faces and using profanities during the confrontation.

A spokesman for Safra told Chinese-language daily Shin Min Daily News that the security company involved subsequently lodged a police report over the incident.

Singapore police confirmed that a report had been filed and that investigations are ongoing.

The fallout quickly spread to Hong Kong, where the school’s board suspended Lee pending an internal investigation after collecting statements from him and teachers who had accompanied students on the trip.

“I think the board as a whole feels that the principal’s words and actions did not meet public expectations,” Wong told Hong Kong news outlet HK01.

The school also issued a public apology on Tuesday, saying the incident had caused “public concern and unease”.

It said it was working with the travel agency involved to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and had pledged to conduct a thorough investigation.

Hong Kong’s Education Bureau has also said it would take appropriate action against any educator found to have breached professional conduct standards, depending on the seriousness of the case.

Addressing his students directly, Lee urged them not to follow his example.

“Please do not learn from me. At all times, you must try your best to stay calm and resolve [problems] in a rational manner,” he said.