"Not Treated as Students but as Visitors" Controversy Over Discrimination at Korea University Sejong Campus Event

Gode Sejong Campus Student Council Seoul Campus Condemnation Statement Released
"All Event-Related Meetings Conducted Centered on Seoul Campus"
"Festival Entry Order Discriminated and Voting Rights Not Recognized"

With the Korea University?Yonsei University friendly university sports competition 'Goyeonjeon' (Yonkojeon) just three days away, the Korea University Sejong Campus Student Council has issued a statement claiming discrimination by the Seoul Campus Student Council and the Central Steering Committee during the event preparation process, sparking controversy.

Scenes from the 2022 Korea University and Yonsei University friendly college match "Goyeonjeon" (Yonsei-Korea University match). Not directly related to the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 4th, the Korea University Sejong Campus Student Council, together with the Graduate School Student Council, posted a large notice titled "Condemning the Seoul Campus Student Council and Central Steering Committee for rampant discrimination based on unreasonable standards" on campus and shared it on social media.

In the notice, the Sejong Campus Student Council stated, "Students of Sejong Campus are being discriminated against in representative events that all members of Korea University can enjoy, such as 'Ipsilenti' and the 'Regular Goyeonjeon'."

A large poster attached inside Korea University campus. [Photo source = captured from an online community]

They claimed that both 'Ipsilenti' and the 'Regular Goyeonjeon' are discussed and decided mainly by the Seoul Campus Central Steering Committee, and although the Sejong Campus Student Council has consistently expressed its intention to attend the meetings, they were not even properly allowed to participate in the seating arrangement meetings.

They also revealed that the Seoul Campus Central Steering Committee notified them that "the position of Sejong students will be addressed after the conclusion of the Anam undergraduate student group’s position," and requested, "If you acknowledge the efforts of the Seoul Central Steering Committee members, please agree to give priority to Seoul-affiliated organizations and place Sejong Campus as a lower priority."

In response, the Sejong Campus Student Council said, "We could not easily accept the Seoul Central Steering Committee’s opinion to arrange seating based on contribution when Sejong Campus was not even given the opportunity to contribute."

Additionally, the Sejong Campus Student Council claimed that the Seoul Campus Central Steering Committee discriminated by referring to Sejong Campus students as 'attendees' rather than 'fellow students' and by not recognizing the voting rights of the Sejong Campus Central Steering Committee.

They demanded that the Seoul Campus Central Steering Committee "officially apologize for the discrimination and strive to ensure that all members can present their opinions on an equal footing if they want to prove that their statement 'Goyeonjeon is a festival for everyone' is true."

They also stated, "Despite discussing the discrimination occurring between campuses with the university president and the director of student affairs, nothing has changed," and urged, "We ask not only for words of concern and observation but also for practical measures to resolve the issue."