Gominjeong "Graduated from Suwon Campus, which was a branch school, but reached this position"... Criticism from current students continues
Cyberbullying also due to issues with Korea University Student Council Emergency Committee members
Ko Min-jung, Chairperson of the Social Welfare Special Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a greeting at the launch ceremony of the Social Welfare Special Committee held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 15th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Recently, controversy surrounding Democratic Party lawmaker Go Min-jeong's remarks about 'branch campuses' has intensified social stigma and ridicule toward branch campuses. Discriminatory acts belittling the quality of branch campuses continue to occur, and conflicts between campuses frequently arise during efforts to integrate schools.
On the 13th, Go Min-jeong emphasized the need for blind recruitment laws in a post on her Facebook, stating, "I graduated from Kyung Hee University's Suwon Campus, which was a branch campus, but thanks to this system, I was able to reach this position."
The student community strongly reacted. Kyung Hee University students criticized Go for her low perception of the Suwon Campus, saying, "Suwon Campus is not a branch campus. Do not disgrace your alma mater."
The student council issued a statement criticizing, "Lawmaker Go has continuously made similar problematic remarks in various interviews, repeatedly disparaging her alma mater." They pointed out, "During the 21st general election, Kyung Hee members already went through a major ordeal due to reports related to Go Min-jeong. Before those wounds healed, she once again used Kyung Hee University as a political tool."
Reactions related to Sejong Campus posted on Korea University Seoul Campus community / Photo by Korea University community capture
Meanwhile, ridicule and conflicts toward branch campuses have been a chronic issue for some time. There is a widespread stigma and hatred toward branch campus students based on the perception that these schools are inferior to the main campus.
Previously, at Korea University, a cyberbullying issue arose targeting students of the Sejong Campus. In June, some Seoul Campus students uploaded posts containing ridicule and hatred on the school community 'Gopas' aimed at Mr. ㄱ, who was elected as an executive of the student council emergency committee.
They questioned, "Why is a Sejong Campus student involved in Seoul Campus student council activities?" and spread personal information about Mr. ㄱ, along with making derogatory remarks about his appearance.
A post titled "Reasons for extreme dislike of Sejong Campus" appeared on Gopas. The author wrote, "The Sejong Campus (graduate) vice president pretends to be from the main campus (Seoul Campus) and has damaged the school's image," adding, "When I was a freshman, I heard people say, 'Why are all Korea University graduates like that?' But if I revealed that the vice president was from a branch campus, it would ruin someone, so I held back."
As posts belittling the Sejong Campus itself poured in instead of raising issues about the election process or school regulations, a student majoring in Business Administration at Korea University posted a large notice on campus titled "What April left us."
The student expressed, "I encountered more hateful and derogatory expressions toward branch campuses than meaningful words in the community," and added, "I worry that hateful expressions will become justified and widespread. The main campus must protect students from being hurt."
In addition to hatred toward branch campuses themselves, confusion over the concept of dual campuses and controversies during integration efforts have also arisen. A 'dual campus' is a campus where departments do not overlap with other campuses and is a concept distinct from branch campuses. It is also referred to as 'another main campus' to distinguish it from branch campuses.
The Kyung Hee University International Campus (formerly Suwon Campus), which surfaced due to Go's remarks, is also a dual campus that has undergone integration. The two campuses merged into one university in 2011, and although ten years have passed, perceptions have not changed, leading to ongoing student dissatisfaction.
Other universities operating dual campuses include Sungkyunkwan University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Chung-Ang University, and Dankook University. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (Global Campus) and Chung-Ang University (Anseong Campus) are often perceived as being less part of the 'same university' compared to Kyung Hee University.
In 2018, conflicts arose between Yonsei University's Seoul Campus and Wonju Campus over integration issues. Former Yonsei University President Kim Yong-hak proposed a 'one university, multi-campus' plan to strengthen the competitiveness of Wonju Campus, which was listed as a university requiring capacity enhancement in that year's basic university competency evaluation. This led to fierce opposition from students at the Sinchon Campus.
Sinchon Campus students raised their voices against integration. The problem was that discriminatory terms such as 'WonSeDae' (Wonju + Yonsei University) were used, and derogatory remarks toward Wonju Campus were rampant.
At the time, Wonju Campus students responded, "Wonju Campus students only pointed out chronic issues like the student cafeteria, inefficient administrative staff, and high tuition fees, and never considered integration, yet Sinchon Campus students collectively insult us," and "We are already hurt by the social stigma of being called 'WonSeDae,' and this incident made it worse."
Debates over branch campus integration have continued not only at Yonsei University but also at other universities with regional campuses such as Hongik University and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. These disputes highlight the entrenched 'academic elitism' and 'discriminatory consciousness' in society that distinguish between Seoul campuses and regional campuses.
On the 15th, Go Min-jeong posted again to clarify. In her Facebook post that day, she said, "I cannot agree with the disparagement of my alma mater," adding, "I spoke honestly about the reality I experienced and stated facts." She explained, "At that time, not only I but many seniors and juniors found it difficult to get jobs at desired companies. The reality was that employment was challenging."
She continued, "It feels like watching a war of the underdogs. Regardless of whether one is from the provinces, Seoul, or overseas, we should create a world where people are evaluated based on their abilities. However, we have not broken this vicious cycle and keep pulling each other down," and wrote, "If the status of the International Campus has changed as current students say, shouldn't we find a way to coexist?"
Students refuted Go's claims through Kyung Hee University's anonymous community 'Everytime' and others. One student said, "I am very angry at the phrase 'war of the underdogs,'" and questioned, "Isn't Go Min-jeong also intoxicated by the logic of the powerful?" They added, "It sounds as if she became an announcer and lawmaker not because of an unfair academic background but because of her abilities."
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