Growing Controversy Over Yonsei University Cleaning Workers' Rally... Students Hold Supportive Press Conference

Over 3,000 Workers Signed Support Petition as of the 6th

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] The noise controversy surrounding the protests of Yonsei University cleaning workers has escalated into conflicts among students. Some students filed a lawsuit claiming infringement of their right to study, while other students countered by holding the school responsible.

On the 6th, about 20 students, including the Joint Countermeasures Committee (Gongdae-wi) for resolving irregular labor issues at Yonsei University, held a press conference in front of Baekyang Hall at Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, demanding, “We hold Yonsei University accountable as the primary contractor and educational institution and urge a resolution.” About 20 cleaning workers also joined the press conference.

Gongdae-wi has been collecting signatures from students in solidarity with the cleaning workers’ struggle since May 19, and as of the 6th, about 3,000 people have participated.

Since April, Yonsei University cleaning and security workers have been holding daily protests on campus demanding a 400 won hourly wage increase, additional staffing, and installation of shower facilities. In response, on May 5, three Yonsei University students, including Lee Dongsu (23), filed a complaint with Seodaemun Police Station, claiming that the noise from the protests infringed on their right to study.

Subsequently, they also filed a lawsuit for damages at the Seoul Western District Court against Kim Hyunok, head of the Yonsei University branch of the Seoul Public Transport Workers’ Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. Lee and others demanded payment of about 6.39 million won for tuition fees, mental damages, and psychiatric treatment costs, arguing that “their right to study was infringed for about two months due to the union’s on-campus protests, causing them stress.”

As the issue expanded, a course analyzing the situation was also launched. Professor Na Yoonkyung of Yonsei University’s Department of Cultural Anthropology is reportedly planning to run the entire course titled “Social Issues and Fairness” this semester as an “Everytime analysis.” She stated, “The obligation to guarantee Yonsei University students’ right to study lies with the school, yet those who filed lawsuits against the workers cannot help but be questioned about their ‘sense of fairness.’”