Human Rights Commission Dismisses Petition on 'KAIST Graduation Forced Ejection'

On the 30th, the complaint filed by Shin Min-ki, the graduate forcibly removed at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) graduation ceremony attended by President Yoon Suk-yeol last February, was dismissed by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK).

On February 20, KAIST alumni submitted a complaint to the National Police Agency accusing the Chief of Presidential Security and security personnel of forcibly removing Shin Min-ki, a KAIST graduate and spokesperson for the Green Party, who shouted at President Yoon Suk-yeol during the KAIST graduation ceremony. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

On the same day, the NHRCK sent a notification to Shin, explaining that the complaint was dismissed because a police investigation and a Constitutional Court review are currently underway regarding the incident.

According to Article 32, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 5 of the Human Rights Commission Act, the NHRCK may dismiss a complaint if, at the time the complaint is filed, judicial proceedings, investigations, or other legal remedies related to the facts that are the basis of the complaint are in progress. However, there is an exception that complaints related to crimes under Articles 123 to 125 of the Criminal Act, such as abuse of official authority by public officials, cannot be dismissed.

Shin expressed regret over the NHRCK's decision, stating, "This case involves abuse of official authority, arrest and detention, and assault, and should be considered an exception under Article 32, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 5." Shin, who is also the spokesperson for the Green Justice Party Daejeon City Branch, was attending the graduation ceremony as a graduate on February 16 when he shouted at President Yoon regarding research and development (R&D) budget issues, after which he was subdued by security guards and removed from the venue.

Shin is currently discussing follow-up measures, including filing objections, regarding the NHRCK's decision. Earlier, in February, Shin, along with 1,146 KAIST graduates and students, filed a complaint with the NHRCK.