What Happened at a Chosun University Department Freshman MT
Student Council Posts Apology, Expresses "Deep Responsibility"
Chosun University Requests Investigation by Campus Human Rights and Ethics Center
Controversy has arisen over allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault at the freshman MT (team-building event) of Chosun University. On the campus anonymous community, posts claiming victimization have been continuously uploaded, leading to an apology announcement and an investigation. On the 16th, Yonhap News reported, citing the Chosun University student council's announcement, that during a department MT held from March 31 to April 2, some students allegedly forced others to do love shots during drinking games and made obscene remarks.
As the controversy grew, the student council of the college posted an apology on Everytime stating, "We feel deeply responsible that such an incident occurred despite conducting sexual harassment prevention and safety education on the first day of MT." Online community
Earlier in early April, on the university anonymous community Everytime, multiple eyewitness accounts were posted saying, "I saw them doing a five-step love shot, passing alcohol mouth-to-mouth, and making freshmen do it too." These posts claimed that during a recent department MT, some students forced others to do 'love shots' during drinking games and sexually harassed them. One student who actually participated in the MT wrote, "I saw them doing a 'five-step love shot,' passing alcohol mouth-to-mouth and making freshmen do it as well."
Other students also posted, "I heard words and curses referring to sexual acts and genitals during the game," and "I heard obscene language and sexual jokes, and a senior of the opposite sex touched my thigh, which made me want to cry," adding, "There was a clear notice prohibiting sexual harassment, but I was so shocked that I still can't forget it." The controversy spread throughout the campus.
Some students responded cautiously to the controversy, saying things like, "Young people in their early 20s can be passionate; what's so serious about this?" However, others said, "The whole department is being criticized because of the mistakes of some seniors," and "It is right to criticize only those who did wrong. I hope the person who did such an absurd act sincerely reflects and apologizes."
As the controversy grew, the student council of the relevant college posted an apology on Everytime, stating, "We feel deep responsibility that such an incident occurred despite conducting sexual harassment prevention and safety education on the first day of MT." The student council explained, "Love shots were conducted by some groups during the MT and were voluntarily done only among same-gender friends who were familiar with each other," adding, "There was no evidence that anyone was forced during this process." Regarding the use of inappropriate language, they said, "We failed to closely manage all groups during the event," and "We will pay thorough attention to prevent such incidents from recurring."
They also stated their intention to investigate whether sexual assault occurred as additional information is confirmed. Chosun University has requested an investigation from the campus Human Rights and Ethics Center at the college level. A Chosun University official said, "The Human Rights and Ethics Center is reviewing whether to conduct an ex officio investigation or proceed based on a report, and if damage is confirmed, disciplinary action will be taken according to school regulations."
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