Dongduk Women's University Faces Turmoil Over Coeducation Talks Since Last Year
Around 150 Students Submit Leave of Absence Applications: "Hitting the School Financially"
Over 700 Rally, Demanding "Implementation of Direct Presidential Elections"
At Dongduk Women's University, where conflicts have arisen due to the school's push to transition to a coeducational system, it has been reported that about 150 enrolled students have submitted leave of absence applications. Kim, a current student who submitted a leave application within the past year, told JTBC on the 9th, "In the reason for leave section, I wrote 'Condemnation of undemocratic academic administration' and 'Opposition to coeducation transition,'" adding, "We held student assemblies and several on- and off-campus protests, but since the school's stance did not change, I chose to take a leave of absence."
Kim said, "The school used to be a comfortable and trustworthy place, but now I can't trust or rely on it," and added, "Private schools can't operate without money (tuition). When I thought about the most impactful way to hit the school, it seemed that taking a leave of absence was it. My parents also support me, saying 'You can't just push through the coeducation transition like this without proper process.'"
According to JTBC, at least 150 students have decided to take a leave of absence as a form of protest against the school so far, and the student side expects the actual number of students on leave to be higher since the leave application period is still ongoing. They also expressed dissatisfaction with the 'Coeducation Transition Public Deliberation Committee' scheduled to be held for six months starting next month, saying, "Specific progress updates have not been shared."
Park Subin, Executive Director of the Dongduk Women's University Emergency Countermeasures Committee, told JTBC, "There has been no discussion about who will participate in the committee. I hope the school goes through a process to accurately assess how much communication has been lacking."
Last November, when it became known that Dongduk Women's University was discussing the transition to coeducation, enrolled students occupied the school and staged protests against it. During this process, chaos ensued, including damage to school property caused by so-called 'locker protests,' and the school filed complaints against 21 students involved in the occupation protest on charges including joint property damage, escalating the conflict.
On this day, Dongduk Women's University students held a 'Condemnation Rally against the Dongduk Women's University Foundation' in front of Anguk Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul, shouting, "We condemn the school for filing complaints against innocent students and vow to uphold the spirit of democracy on campus." The rally gathered an estimated 700 students according to the student side, and an unofficial police estimate of 1,000 people.
The students wore vests with the phrase "Will Spring Come to Democratic Dongduk?" and towels on their heads with "Implement Direct Election of the President," chanting slogans such as "Student protests are justified" and "Condemn the university administration for suing students." They also held photos of the school's emblematic cotton flower.
The Dongduk Women's University Student Union stated, "The school has violated the law by restricting freedom of expression and assembly, banning all acts such as student protests, condolence wreath installations, and posting of large posters," and claimed, "Our goal is for the university administration to stop its undemocratic actions and democratically listen to student voices." They emphasized, "We demand the eradication of private school corruption and the implementation of direct presidential elections."
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