[Summary] "Yeungnam University Trying to Cover Up Rape" Real-Name Petition Nears 200,000 Signatures... Yeungnam University "Investigating"

On the 11th, a real-name petition was posted on Cheong
"They are trying to cover up the rape without separation measures" nearing 200,000 agreements
Yeongnam University side "Recognizes the seriousness of the matter... Already under investigation by authorities"

A statement posted on the official website on the 13th under the name of the president of Yeungnam University. / Photo by Homepage Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] A female professor affiliated with Yeungnam University claims that she was sexually assaulted by a fellow professor and that the university is trying to cover it up, sparking controversy. This claim, posted in the form of a petition on the Blue House's National Petition Board, is approaching the 200,000 signatures required for an official response from the Blue House. Amid growing controversy, Yeungnam University has rebutted, stating, "We have not covered up any facts."

On the afternoon of the 13th, Yeungnam University issued a statement on its website under the name of the president, saying, "Regarding the sexual-related allegations among our university members and the Blue House National Petition, we state the following."

It continued, "Our university takes this matter very seriously and has not covered up or downplayed any facts so far," adding, "We understand that the investigative authorities are already conducting an investigation."

Yeungnam University also stated, "Our university has conducted its own investigation based on the relevant regulations presented by related agencies, following principles and procedures," and emphasized, "We will continue to investigate fairly and thoroughly to ensure that no suspicion arises."

It added, "We deeply regret causing concern due to this matter."

On the 11th, a real-name petition claiming that Yeungnam University is trying to cover up a sexual assault was posted on the National Petition Board. / Photo by National Petition Board screenshot

Earlier, on the 11th, a petition titled "Yeungnam University is trying to cover up rape" was posted on the National Petition Board. The petitioner, Professor A, who identified herself as currently working at Yeungnam University, stated, "I was raped by Professor B, a fellow professor at Yeungnam University and a colleague at the same center," and added, "As a woman, saying to the world that I was raped is more shameful than death, but I have gathered the courage to reveal my real name and speak out publicly."

Professor A said, "Even though I was raped by a fellow professor as a female professor, Yeungnam University was only eager to cover it up," and "Professor C, who was the vice president of Yeungnam University until recently and supervised the same center, I appealed to have Professor B separated from me, but the response I received was 'If you want to make noise, leave.'

She continued, "After that, Professor C tried to push me out by removing my position and excluding me from meetings, effectively sidelining me from work," and "After enduring this, I filed a rape charge against Professor B, who raped a fellow professor, and also filed a complaint against Professor C, who was the vice president of Yeungnam University."

Professor A also reported Professor B to Yeungnam University's Gender Equality Center and requested separation measures from students. However, she claimed that despite holding a 'Sexual Violence Countermeasures Committee,' Yeungnam University concluded that separation measures from students were unnecessary for Professor B.

Yeungnam University campus / Photo by Yonhap News

Professor A condemned, "If you think I have spread false information, then sue me," and appealed, "I speak on behalf of many women who silently suffer and cry behind the scenes. Yeungnam University should stop trying to cover up rape like this."

The petition has garnered nearly 190,000 signatures as of the afternoon of the 13th, approaching the 200,000 signatures required for an official Blue House response.

In this petition, Professor A wrote the university's name and the professors' names in full, but it has since been anonymized by administrators. The Blue House National Petition may partially withhold content if it includes personal information or defamatory content about others.

Meanwhile, Professor A filed charges against Professor B for rape and against Professor C for coercion in February. It is reported that Professors B and C currently deny the allegations.

Yeungnam University is said to plan to verify the facts of Professor A's claims through its on-campus Gender Equality Center separately from the police investigation and take appropriate measures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.