"Unreasonable and Uncivilized"... Reform New Party's Lee Gi-in Criticizes Dongduk Women's University Protest

"Protests Crossing into Illegality... Unreasonable and Uncivilized"
"Must Respond Firmly According to Law and Principles"

Lee Gi-in, Supreme Council Member of the Reform New Party, criticized the anti-coeducation protest sparked at Dongduk Women's University, saying, "We are witnessing the end of uncivilized behavior."

On the 4th, through his Facebook, Lee said, "The problem in our society over the past few years lies in not correcting these delusional acts of terror but rather encouraging or riding along with them." He added, "Not to mention the Moon Jae-in administration, even the Yoon Seok-yeol government, which claimed to uphold law and common sense, has failed to keep even a single campaign promise to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and continues to make excuses."

On the morning of July 3rd, at the Reform New Party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Seoul, Supreme Council member Lee Gi-in is speaking. Photo by Yonhap News.

Lee criticized, "They fabricate a fictitious fact called 'coeducation transition,' which was not even formally submitted as an agenda item, and turn the carefully prepared job fair by the school into a mess." He pointed out, "Holding protests that cross the line of illegality by intimidating voices within the campus community who welcome the coeducation transition discussion, mocking professors, and detaining staff is clearly irrational and uncivilized."

He stated, "The authorities must respond firmly according to law and principles," and added, "The political sphere should not lead the way in damaging the modern values that our society has agreed upon to avoid becoming 'kkondae' (old-fashioned authoritarian figures). If there are concerns about 'gender sensitivity' during enforcement, then deploy a large number of female police officers."

Furthermore, he questioned, "'Leader Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, who boasted about his high sensitivity by saying 'yeonam-noso' instead of 'namnyeo-noso' (a play on words for gender and age inclusivity), what are your thoughts on this issue? Former Minister Kim Boo-kyum, who was busy praising the Hyehwa Station protests, are you still the guardian of those protests?" He also addressed Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, saying, "Leader Han Dong-hoon, who has become a symbol of Young Fifty, what is your position? Everyone, please respond."

Students opposing the discussion to transition Dongduk Women's University to a coeducational system blocked the doors and stood in protest at Dongduk Women's University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, conflicts within Dongduk Women's University over the issue of transitioning to coeducation are escalating. Students have left red spray-painted slogans such as "We will perish rather than open," "Firmly oppose coeducation transition," and "Democratic Dongduk is dead" around the campus, or placed department jackets (gwajam) as a form of protest.

In particular, the student council issued a statement saying, "The fact revealed through President Kim Myeong-ae's statement on the 12th is that the school is clearly discussing the coeducation transition," and added, "Dongduk members unanimously demand the withdrawal of the coeducation transition discussion. Apologize for the hasty discussion that disregarded students."

Earlier, President Kim Myeong-ae stated in a position paper, "At the University Vision Innovation Promotion Team meeting, development plans for the College of Design and the College of Performing Arts were announced, and the coeducation transition issue was included." She said, "As a result of the discussion, there was agreement that this matter requires a process of gathering opinions, and subsequently, on November 12, after reporting and discussing at the Academic Affairs Committee, a plan was made to proceed with a procedure to collect opinions from all members."

Meanwhile, student councils from other women's universities such as Sookmyung Women's University, Hanyang Women's University, Seoul Women's University, and Gwangju Women's University also issued statements expressing solidarity.