Hanyang University Political Science Students Demand Withdrawal of Reappointment for Professor Supporting Ramseyer

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Students from Hanyang University's Department of Political Science and International Relations demanded the withdrawal of the reappointment of Professor Joseph Lee, who has been embroiled in controversy for defending Harvard University Professor Mark Ramseyer's claim that "comfort women were prostitutes."

The student council of Hanyang University's Department of Political Science and International Relations held a press conference in front of the new main building of Hanyang University in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, stating, "We are outraged by Associate Professor Joseph Lee's repeated historical distortions and incorrect historical perceptions," and "We demand the withdrawal of his reappointment."

They said, "Professor Lee has repeated offensive remarks three times in five years, including calling domestic scholars researching comfort women 'nationalist liars' in 2019," and "The university unilaterally notified the reappointment of Professor Lee." They added, "Although late, if the university withdraws the reappointment now, it can prevent passing on distorted history education to the freshmen of the class of 2021."

After the press conference, they visited Hanyang University's Academic Affairs Office and delivered a protest letter signed by 1,628 current students and alumni.

Earlier, on the 18th of last month, Professor Lee co-authored an article with Associate Professor Jo Phillips of Yonsei University's Underwood International College in the US diplomatic journal 'The Diplomat,' urging "discussion rather than condemnation" regarding Professor Ramseyer's article.