Canceled 'Jeonjangyeon Lecture' Held at Korea University... What Do You Think?

Korea University Sparks Debate with Jeonjangyeon Lecture
Student Council Announces Lecture Cancellation
Expert: "Similar Cases May Occur at Universities"

When Korea University’s student council announced the cancellation of a lecture on the 23rd, the Seoul Regional University Human Rights Union Club, a co-host, held the invited lecture by Park Kyung-seok, former representative of Jeon Jang-yeon, on the 26th at 6:30 PM at the Korea University Life Library in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Gunchan] The lecture by Park Kyung-seok, the representative of the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (Jeonjangyeon), was ultimately held as scheduled at Korea University. Amid ongoing debates on campus regarding the lecture, the Korea University Student Council decided to cancel the event, but the co-host, the Seoul Area University Human Rights Union Club, proceeded with the lecture.

The lecture by Park Kyung-seok, Jeonjangyeon representative, took place on the 26th at 6:30 PM at the Korea University Life Library in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. After the Korea University Student Council announced the cancellation on the 23rd, the co-host, the Seoul Area University Human Rights Union Club, declared on the 24th that they would continue with the original plan. The lecture was held under the theme "Why We Took to the Streets: The Reality of Disability Rights in 2022."

On the day, Representative Park said, "I heard through the media that it was canceled, but I do not know the specific process," and added, "I feel sad about the Korea University Student Council's cancellation." He continued, "I think disability started at ?100, and over 20 years, it has come to ?70," and said, "If people say it has improved a lot, I want to discuss what their notion of rationality is."

This lecture was part of the "2022 Korea University Human Rights Week: Perspectives," held during the last week of September. The Korea University Student Council's Interim Central Executive Committee Human Rights Solidarity Department announced on the 20th via their official account, "On the 26th, we will host a lecture with Jeonjangyeon representative Park Kyung-seok," and added, "No prior registration is required; anyone can freely attend on-site."

An invited lecture by Park Kyung-seok, former representative of Jeonjangyeon, was held at 6:30 PM on the 26th at the Life Library of Korea University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Seoul Area University Human Rights Union Club Facebook

Once the lecture schedule was announced, a heated debate arose among Korea University students regarding the event. Criticism was voiced that Jeonjangyeon's subway protests cause inconvenience to citizens, while others emphasized the importance of resolving issues related to guaranteeing mobility rights for people with disabilities.

A student opposing the lecture said, "Is it right for a group that has only complained about their own inconvenience while ignoring others' human rights to give a human rights lecture?" expressing incomprehension over the Student Council's choice of speaker. Conversely, a student supporting the lecture argued, "There may be room for debate about Jeonjangyeon's protest methods, but everyone agrees on the cause of abolishing discrimination against people with disabilities."

As opposition to the lecture grew strong on campus communities, the Korea University Student Council posted an official notice on the 23rd stating, "The lecture during this Human Rights Week has been officially canceled." The Human Rights Solidarity Department of Korea University explained, "The lecture was to be hosted with the participation of Human Rights Week groups," and "We politely recommended the group to refrain from holding the lecture."

Following the cancellation decision, Korea University alumni and citizens publicly expressed their support for resuming the Jeonjangyeon lecture through a joint statement titled "Support for Freedom of Thought at Korea University by Alumni and Citizens" on the 25th.

In the statement, they pointed out, "If a university, especially its student council, silences these voices by leveraging online public criticism and takes away their microphone, where in our society can a public forum for free debate breathe?" and "Where can the vulnerable comfortably find the freedom to express their claims?"

Last April, at Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Subway Line 3, while the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination continued their subway morning commute protest urging the transition team to fulfill their budget reflection promises, a citizen held a picket sign opposing the morning commute protest. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Professor Seol Dong-hoon of the Sociology Department at Jeonbuk National University said that similar controversies over invited lectures by Jeonjangyeon representatives could continue to occur on campuses. Professor Seol stated, "There are clearly two voices among people in their 20s regarding Jeonjangyeon's protests," and "Both claims have rationality, so similar cases can keep happening at universities." He added, "If the Student Council changed its stance, it is important to clearly explain why."

He further emphasized, "There is room to consider whether Jeonjangyeon's protests violated rules even if not laws," and "The freedoms guaranteed by our constitution are important, and everyone has the right to secure equal rights as citizens."