Jinseongjun: "Han Dong-hoon Even Politically Exploits the Dongduk Women's University Incident as Fuel"

"Handonghun, Misused Dongduk Women's University as Political Fuel"
"The Cause of the Incident is the University's Anti-Democratic Nature"
"Education Authorities Should Stop Standing By and Mediate"

Jin Seong-jun, the Policy Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Jin Seong-jun, the Policy Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, who commented on the protest against the transition to coeducation at Dongduk Women's University, stating that "the instigators of the violent incident should be held responsible for property damage and other liabilities."

At the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th, Chairman Jin opened by saying, "Leader Han is trying to exploit even the Dongduk Women's University incident as political fodder." He pointed out, "Leader Han criticized the students while mentioning the legal responsibility of the instigators of the violent incident. Although I do not intend to condone violence, Leader Han's claim reverses the cause and effect." He continued, "The root cause of this incident lies in the 'undemocratic' actions of the university authorities who pushed for the transition to coeducation without the knowledge of the students, who are members of the university." He added, "The students are angry because their rights as stakeholders in matters concerning the future of the school were thoroughly ignored." He emphasized, "It is neither appropriate nor balanced to remain silent about the university authorities' undemocratic behavior while blaming only the students."

Furthermore, he said, "I hope those who are nitpicking the Dongduk Women's University incident to stir up gender and generational conflicts and gain political advantage will stop such shallow political calculations." He criticized, "Why is there no immediate personnel action against the president of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, who repeatedly made misogynistic and derogatory remarks such as 'I want to exclude graduates of this university from hiring' and 'I would never accept them as daughters-in-law'? Isn't this another form of violence against women?"

He also requested, "I ask the university and the students to cancel the coeducation transition plan and reach a consensus among all university members through democratic procedures and processes." He added, "The attitude of revealing unsubstantiated damage amounts and trying to identify the ringleaders will not resolve the situation." Moreover, he urged, "I hope the students prioritize rational solutions through discussion and negotiation. Violence only worsens the situation. The education authorities should not just stand by under the pretense of reflection but immediately intervene as mediators." Finally, he warned, "I also caution certain forces that incite misogyny and gender conflicts. Unauthorized school intrusions or threats of stabbing are clear crimes." He called on the police to "thoroughly establish and implement security measures to prevent harm to the students."