Seoul National University Cancels Graduation Ceremony Entirely Due to COVID-19 Spread Impact

Initial Plan for Only Graduate Representatives to Attend
Cancellation Decided Due to Infection Concerns

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Seoul National University has completely canceled the graduation ceremony scheduled for the 26th.

Yeo Jeong-seong, Vice President for Planning at Seoul National University, announced on the 21st, "Amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection in the local community, after careful consideration, we have decided to fully cancel the 74th degree conferment ceremony."

Vice President Yeo explained, "Although we initially planned to hold a simplified ceremony to provide an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of graduation despite the difficult social circumstances, we decided to cancel it prioritizing the safety of students and other university members."

Previously, Seoul National University had decided to simplify the graduation ceremony by allowing only 66 representatives of graduates from each college and professional graduate school to attend due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

As a result, only the top students representing the graduates from each department were to attend the ceremony, which led to criticism within the university, calling it an "inappropriate decision."

Addressing this controversy, Vice President Yeo said, "We sincerely apologize for not fully understanding the feelings of the students during the process of simplifying the event and recommending attendees."

Seoul National University plans to allow graduates who could not participate in this ceremony to attend the second half degree conferment ceremony scheduled for August.