235 Dongduk Women's University Professors Appeal: "Serious Illegal Activities... We Want to Fulfill Our Original Role"

Posted Statement on Official Website on the 20th
"Cannot Justify Students' Illegal Actions"

At Dongduk Women's University, as conflicts arise on campus over the 'coeducation transition rumor,' the faculty issued a statement.

On the 20th, 235 professors of Dongduk Women's University released the 'Dongduk Women's University Professors' Appeal for Normalization of Campus Situation' on the school's homepage, condemning, "The illegal acts of some students cannot be justified under any circumstances, and the severity has reached a serious level."

They continued, "We professors earnestly urge students to immediately stop actions that may increase their own responsibility," emphasizing, "We want to fulfill our original roles together with students in classrooms and laboratories where we belong."

On the afternoon of the 20th, as news spread that Dongduk Women's University was discussing a transition to engineering, students continued their protest. Students at Dongduk Women's University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, are packing up their waterproof protective tarps. Photo by Yonhap News

They also pointed out, "The destruction of campus facilities and building occupation by some students have continued for the 10th day," adding, "Furthermore, the infringement of students' right to learn and faculty's right to teach is ongoing."

The faculty demanded the following for the normalization of the university's campus situation: △ cessation of coercion among students to refuse classes △ cessation of occupation and damage to school facilities △ cessation of actions that escalate campus conflicts into social issues.

Meanwhile, since the 11th, protests by enrolled students opposing the transition to coeducation have taken place at Dongduk Women's University. Some students have occupied school buildings and continued fierce sit-ins, including spray-painting roads and buildings. The university recently warned of strict measures, stating, "Acts of violence and disruption of classes are clear illegal acts."

On the afternoon of the 20th, as it was reported that Dongduk Women's University was discussing a transition to engineering, students continued their protest. Students at Dongduk Women's University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, held a general student meeting on the campus sports field and conducted a vote for and against the 'transition of Dongduk Women's University to engineering.' Photo by Yonhap News

Amid this, some students have voiced opposition to the protesters. On the 18th, the 'Dongduk Women's University Anti-Violence Protest Student Team' was established on YouTube, claiming, "Individual rights on campus are being seriously violated, and illegal and violent acts have been committed by a group of protesters."

Meanwhile, the Dongduk Women's University Student Council plans to hold a general student meeting regarding the coeducation transition on the 20th at 2 p.m. The agenda includes the coeducation transition and the direct election system for the university president. The Student Council stated, "Through a general student meeting open to all enrolled students, we will clearly convey the opinions of students opposing the coeducation transition once again."