Dongduk Women's University, "Saddened by Violence" in Response to Occupation Protest Opposing Coeducation Transition

Dongduk Women's University stated on the 12th that students opposing the transition to coeducation have occupied the main building and other facilities for two days and are protesting, saying, "It cannot be unilaterally pushed forward, and we planned to go through a process of gathering opinions," and "We deeply regret the violent incidents that occurred on campus."

Students of Dongduk Women's University, Protest Against Engineering Major Conversion. Yonhap News

In a statement released that day, Dongduk Women's University said, "The transition to coeducation cannot be unilaterally pursued by the school, and gathering opinions and communication with members are essential procedures," adding, "However, despite the issue not even being formally proposed yet, violent incidents involving students occurred starting from the afternoon of November 11, before the faculty council meeting."

Dongduk Women's University explained that on September 27, at the University Vision Innovation Promotion Team meeting, they decided to review development plans for the College of Design and the College of Performing Arts, and on the 5th, the University Vision Innovation Promotion Team reviewed development plans that had been discussed among professors of each college. The school stated that the issue of transitioning to coeducation was included in the content presented at the meeting, and that they were planning a process to gather opinions from all members after reporting to and discussing with the faculty council.

Earlier, on the Dongduk Women's University campus in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, students held a protest the previous day to block the transition to coeducation. Centered around the student council 'Naran,' students held a 'Gwajam protest' where they took off their school jumpers and placed them on the ground in front of the main building along with a banner that read "Honorably close the school."

Meanwhile, there are currently seven four-year women's universities nationwide, including Ewha Womans University and Dongduk Women's University, and if vocational colleges are included, the total reaches 14. Previously, Sangmyung University was also a women's university, but it changed its name to Sangmyung University when it transitioned to coeducation in 1996.