Seoul Women's University Also Holds Racket Protest... President Apologizes to Essay Test Takers

Seoul Women's University students are holding a 'lacquer protest' claiming that the school's response to a professor accused of sexual harassment is inadequate.

On the 17th, phrases such as "Sex offender professor OUT" and "Seoul Women's University is not a room salon" were painted with lacquer on the exterior walls of the 50th Anniversary Hall and the College of Humanities building at Seoul Women's University. Placards condemning the school, such as "School, listen to the students' anger" and "Seoul Women's University, protect the students," were also posted in various places.

Last July, the school received a report that Professor A from the College of Humanities sexually harassed and assaulted students, and in September, he was disciplined with a three-month salary reduction. Students have posted large notices demanding separation of the perpetrator and victims and strengthening victim protection, arguing that the punishment was too light. After Professor A filed a police complaint last month accusing the notice's content of defamation, the students' protests intensified.

On the day before, the school, which held a writing exam, posted a notice signed by the president apologizing to examinees, stating, "We deeply apologize for not being able to welcome you to a clean and beautiful campus." The notice also stated, "Regarding this matter, the school is attempting to communicate with the students and, according to the students' wishes, is not proceeding with cleaning up the posted materials."