Yonsei University Students Who Sued Cleaning Workers... Two Perspectives on the Rally

Student Filing Lawsuit "Mental Damage Due to Noise"
Expert "Assemblies and Demonstrations Inherently Cause Discomfort"
"Voices Should Be Directed at 'Problem Solvers,' Not Workers"

Yonsei University Sinchon Campus. / Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] A debate has erupted over the civil and criminal lawsuits filed by Yonsei University students against cleaning and security workers holding protests on campus. The arguments are divided between those who claim that protests causing harm to others are unjustifiable and those who argue that protests inherently involve some degree of inconvenience as a form of labor dispute activity.

On the 17th, three Yonsei University students, including a person identified as Lee, filed a civil lawsuit at the Seoul Western District Court against Kim Hyun-ok, head of the Yonsei University branch of the Seoul Public Transport Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), and Park Seung-gil, the sub-branch leader. They demanded payment of approximately 6,386,000 KRW for tuition fees and mental damages, claiming their right to attend classes was infringed upon due to the noise from the workers' protests held on campus.

Lee also filed a criminal complaint last month on the 9th against the union for obstruction of business at the Seodaemun Police Station in Seoul. Additionally, citing that the protest was not pre-notified, Lee submitted a report accusing the union of violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act. The complainant, who identified themselves as the plaintiff, wrote on the students' online community 'Yonsei University Everytime' on the 1st, "The reason I filed the complaint was because the noise from the protest reached Baekyang Hall where I was attending class," and argued, "Why should students' studies be disrupted by the union activities of cleaning workers who earn their living from the tuition fees paid by students?"

The cleaning and security workers have been holding protests since March 28, demanding wage increases and the installation of shower facilities from the university administration. According to the union, the protests took place for about an hour from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during lunchtime in front of the student union building, with around 40 participants.

The union expressed dismay at the lawsuits filed by some students. Son Seung-hwan, the organizational director of the Seoul branch of the Public Transport Union, said, "After receiving complaints from students, we have been trying to reduce noise during protests and have redirected the amplifier away from the building to minimize disturbance," adding, "We have no intention of fighting with the students. We hope the university administration will promptly address the issue."

Public opinion is also divided over the students' lawsuits. One netizen pointed out, "If they had even a little thought about why the workers had no choice but to protest like this, would they have filed a lawsuit?" On the other hand, another netizen argued, "Even if they are socially disadvantaged, protests that cause harm to others are not justified."

A similar controversy arose when disability rights groups began subway protests demanding guaranteed mobility for the disabled. The method of protesting by boarding and alighting in wheelchairs, causing train delays, continues to provoke intense debate.

Experts say it is important to consider the nature of protests and demonstrations. Kim Ji-hak, director of the Korea Diversity Research Institute, stated, "Protests and demonstrations inherently cause inconvenience to achieve their goals," explaining, "Even after issuing statements and holding press conferences, if improvements are not made, protests escalate to stopping trains and strikes. This is because issues do not attract attention unless discomfort is caused."

He continued, "The students filing the lawsuits claim their right to learn and education, but workers’ labor rights are also important. The responsibility for education rights and labor rights lies with the university," emphasizing, "'Don't speak because it's noisy' is not a way to solve the core problem. Raising voices demanding rights toward those responsible is the correct way to resolve the issue."