"99.9% Oppose Engineering Conversion"... 2,000 Dongduk Women's University Students Gathered

0 Votes in Favor out of 1,973
Student Council: "Will Stop Sit-in if Discussion Withdrawn"
School: "Will Hold Accountable for Illegal Acts"

"With 0 in favor, 1971 against, and 2 abstentions, I hereby declare that the proposal to transition to a coeducational system has been rejected."

On the afternoon of the 20th, the 'Student General Assembly' hosted by the Student Council is taking place at Dongduk Women's University Wolgok Campus. Photo by Yeom Dayeon

As Dongduk Women's University students continue their sit-in protest against the discussion of transitioning to coeducation, 99.9% expressed opposition at the student assembly.

Choi Hyun-ah, president of the Dongduk Women's University Student Council, stated at the student assembly held on the afternoon of the 20th at the Wolgok Campus in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, "Students have come to know about the serious agenda of transitioning to coeducation, which shakes the identity of a women's university, not through the school but by word of mouth and written messages. The school belongs to the students, yet everything is proceeding through an undemocratic process without any explanation or discussion."

Students at Dongduk Women's University Wolgok Campus placed school jumpers on the floor to oppose the transition to coeducation. Photo by Yeom Da-yeon

At the main gate of Dongduk Women's University Wolgok Campus, a sign reading "We will not open even if it disappears" is placed. Photo by Yeom Da-yeon

This assembly was organized to convey the students' opposition to the transition during a meeting with the school administration on the morning of the 21st. The Student Council explained, "The school stated that it cannot accept the opposition to coeducation as the opinion of all students. We will clearly communicate the views of students opposing the transition through a student assembly open to all enrolled students." Despite the chilly, rainy weather, 1,973 students attended. Among them, 0 voted in favor, 1,971 against, and 2 abstained, with not a single student supporting the transition. The total enrollment at Dongduk Women's University is 6,564, far exceeding the quorum of 656 required to convene the assembly.

The introduction of a direct election system for the university president was approved with 1,932 in favor, 0 against, and 1 abstention. This agenda was raised amid criticism of President Kim Myung-ae's response, who ignored students' requests for meetings, with calls for students to directly elect the president. President Choi said, "We cannot compromise on postponing the agenda of transitioning to coeducation. We are willing to withdraw the sit-in protest only if the discussion itself is withdrawn. We have repeatedly requested meetings with the president, but we have no idea where she is currently. As representatives of the students, we are trying every possible method and means to meet her, and we hope she responds."

There are tissues and large posters attached to the statue at Dongduk Women's University Wolgok Campus. Photo by Yeom Dayeon

The school stated on the 18th, "Due to the students' illegal occupation and protests, all campus buildings have been locked down, causing severe damage. We are identifying who led and participated in these illegal acts. While opposing the transition to coeducation may be a personal freedom, acts of violence and disruption of classes are clearly illegal. We urge you to regain reason and stop the illegal occupation and protests so that normal academic administration can resume." The school revealed that damages currently amount to as much as 5.4 billion KRW.

An appeal signed by 241 deans and professors was posted on Dongduk Women's University’s website. The faculty urged students to immediately withdraw their coercion to boycott classes, cease further occupation and damage of school facilities, and stop actions that escalate campus conflicts into social issues.