"Co-education Opposition" Sparks Uproar at Dongduk Women's University with Funeral Wreaths and Jacket Protests

Student Protests Against Engineering Transition at Dongduk Women's University
Sending Funeral Wreaths and Holding 'Gwajam Demonstrations'

As news spread that Dongduk Women's University is discussing transitioning to a coeducational system, students have strongly opposed the move by sending condolence wreaths and protesting by taking off their school jumpers.

Condolence wreaths sent by students on the Dongduk Women's University campus. Provided by the Dongduk Women's University Student Council.

On the 11th, Yonhap News and others reported that a protest by current students of Dongduk Women's University took place on the university campus in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, to block the transition to coeducation. According to the Dongduk Women's University Student Council, a banner reading "Honorably close the school" was displayed in front of the main building from the morning, and a 'jumper protest' was held where students took off their school jumpers (gwajam) and laid them on the ground.

In front of the school building, condolence wreaths sent by students were lined up in large numbers. The wreaths bore messages opposing the university's discussion of coeducation, such as "Absolutely oppose coeducation transition," "Democratic Dongduk is dead," and "Do you think women are easy targets?" Posters calling for the withdrawal of the coeducation transition were posted throughout the campus, and the number of students signing petitions against the move has already exceeded 2,000.

Earlier, on the 7th, the Dongduk Women's University Student Council issued a statement saying, "Dongduk Women's University is composed of women, the 'female' in Dongduk Women's University," and clearly expressed their "complete opposition to the coeducation transition that threatens the women who are the foundation of Dongduk Women's University." They also criticized the university administration, stating, "Despite the discussion of this agenda, the university headquarters has not uttered a single word to the student representatives, the Student Council," and added, "The university administration's action of only speaking when the Student Council raises the issue is an act of ignoring the 8,000 Dongduk members."

'Gwajam' Protest in Front of Dongduk Women's University Main Building. Photo by Dongduk Women's University Student Council

The Dongduk Women's University administration maintains that the transition to coeducation is just one of several options being considered for the future of the school and is not a finalized decision. A university official stated, "It was proposed as one idea during the process of establishing the school's development plan, 'Vision 2040,'" and added, "Since then, there has been no progress."

This conflict at Dongduk Women's University is seen as an example revealing the concerns of women's universities facing worsening financial conditions due to declining school-age populations, social changes, and the government's tuition freeze policy. According to the Ministry of Education, there are currently seven four-year women's universities nationwide: Ewha, Sookmyung, Sungshin, Dongduk, Duksung, Seoul, and Gwangju Women's University.

When searching for Dongduk Women's University on portal sites, it is noted that male students make up 0.1% of the enrolled students. According to the school's public data, there are six male students outside the quota, but they are foreign students majoring in Korean language and culture, unrelated to the coeducation discussion. All other women's universities indicate 100% female students.

Previously, Duksung Women's University attempted to transition to coeducation in 2015 due to financial difficulties but failed due to student opposition. Sookmyung Women's University also postponed plans to convert its graduate school to coeducation in 2015 following protests from students and alumni.