‘Bbalxxdeul’ ‘Gae××’... Why Did Swear Words Appear on Campus at the Start of the Semester?

Pro- and Anti-Impeachment Rallies Continue
Spread to Chung-Ang University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Sookmyung Women's University, and Others

Although universities have started the new semester, the pro and anti-impeachment rallies for President Yoon Suk-yeol on campuses are not subsiding but rather intensifying. There are concerns about student harm due to noise, verbal abuse, and even violent incidents.

According to Yonhap News on the 2nd, an anti-impeachment political declaration will be held at 2 p.m. on the 3rd at the main gate of Chung-Ang University Seoul Campus. Those urging impeachment will gather at the same location 30 minutes earlier. Posts have also appeared at Hanyang University and Sookmyung Women’s University calling for signatures on anti-impeachment political declarations, so rallies are expected to be held successively at these universities as well.

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Impeachment Rally. Yonhap News

A student at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) even proposed holding a second pro-impeachment political declaration on the 7th. The pro and anti-impeachment rallies on campuses have been conducted with both sides confronting each other at the same place on the same day.

On the 28th of last month, an incident occurred in front of HUFS where a police officer was assaulted. During the rally, both sides, who were confronting each other and demanding the other to back down, did not leave the site until late at night, causing noise disturbances. In the heated atmosphere, one male supporter of impeachment assaulted a police officer who was maintaining order and was arrested.

At that time, about 200 pro-impeachment supporters and about 300 anti-impeachment supporters gathered, and the confrontation continued, preventing HUFS students and alumni from holding their prepared anti-impeachment political declaration until 5 p.m.

As a result, posts expressing discomfort with the rallies due to noise damage appeared one after another on the HUFS and Kyung Hee University boards of the university community 'Everytime.' On the HUFS board, a post stated, "I hope freshmen do not feel discomfort after seeing today’s protest."

On the 28th, in front of Sungkyunkwan University in Jongno-gu, Seoul, citizens including Sungkyunkwan University Emergency Action held a "Condemnation Rally Against Pro-Insurrection Forces," demanding the dismissal of President Yoon Seok-yeol, seen beyond a placard held by a supporter opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Yonhap News.

Eventually, the HUFS Seoul Campus Student Council issued a statement on the 1st. They said, “By the end of the rally, most participants from both sides were composed of external groups,” and “We continuously requested the police to control the noise, but due to many procedures required by related laws, we ask for your understanding that your peaceful daily life was disturbed for a long time.” They added, “We will discuss with the university administration and prepare response manuals to prevent situations where members’ daily lives are disrupted by outsiders.”

Earlier, on the 26th of last month, at Ewha Womans University, anti-impeachment and pro-impeachment students clashed at the same time and place. The voices of students were drowned out by the loud shouts and jeers of external protesters carrying megaphones and speakers. The protesters also attacked students using harsh expressions such as ‘ppalxxdeul’ and ‘gae××’ (derogatory terms).

On the 28th of last month near the main gate of Sungkyunkwan University, anti-impeachment and pro-impeachment rallies were held simultaneously, leading to tensions between the two sides, but no physical clashes occurred. The pro-impeachment side occupied the rally spot in front of the main gate, while the anti-impeachment rally was held in a nearby park. The school requested facility protection from the Seoul Hyehwa Police Station in preparation for any emergencies. Accordingly, in addition to campus police, officers from Hyehwa Station were additionally deployed.

Universities where rallies are scheduled or expected to be held soon are reportedly considering management measures. A Chung-Ang University official told Yonhap News, “Looking at the situation at other universities, it is true that we are worried about clashes,” adding, “Since many participants are outsiders, on-campus rallies were not permitted, and the police as well as some staff members plan to assist in maintaining order.”