200 Shinhan University Staff Issue Statement Urging Eradication of Human Rights Violations and Strengthening of Institutional Systems

Shinhan University Staff Issue Joint Statement on 'Student Human Rights Violations and Power Harassment'
Staff Join Faculty in Calling for Reform, Amplifying Internal Voices for Change
Staff Urge, "Stop Secondary Harm and Begin Five Key Institutional Reforms"
University Launches Investigation into Alleged Misuse of Student Council Funds for Legal Expenses

On October 17, two hundred employees of Shinhan University (President Kang Sungjong) issued a joint statement urging the protection of human rights on campus and the strengthening of related systems in response to recent incidents involving some faculty members violating student human rights and engaging in power harassment.

Two hundred staff members of Shinhan University are issuing a joint statement on the 17th, urging the protection of human rights on campus and the strengthening of related systems in response to recent cases of student human rights violations and power abuse by some faculty members. Provided by Shinhan University

This follows a previous statement on ethical standards issued by 100 faculty members, marking the participation of staff as well and demonstrating a unified commitment among all university employees to eradicate human rights violations and improve organizational culture.

The staff collectively described the issue as "a fundamental challenge to the university's ethics and awareness of human rights, going beyond individual misconduct," and emphasized the urgent need for institutional reforms to prevent recurrence. They pointed out, "Treating students as objects of control rather than as subjects of respect and growth can never be justified in the name of education," and added, "Acts such as verbal abuse, insults, and invasions of privacy constitute human rights violations and amount to forfeiting one's qualifications as an educator."

This controversy began when several faculty members were accused of inappropriate remarks and abuse of administrative power toward students. The university's own investigation confirmed that multiple faculty members had engaged in abuse of educational authority and ethical violations.

In particular, suspicions recently arose regarding the misuse of student council funds to cover legal expenses for defamation cases among university members. The university officially stated, "We will conduct a separate investigation into the overall use of student council funds and pursue accountability." The university further explained, "This case involves faculty members intervening in the use of student council funds to support legal costs, which is an inappropriate act that infringed upon students' autonomy and their right to learn."

In their statement, the staff strongly criticized, "Despite the courage of the affected students in raising these issues, some individuals are spreading false information and distorted claims, resulting in secondary harm. Such actions undermine the trust within the community and inflict further pain on the victims." They also emphasized, "The university's awareness of human rights and ethical sensitivity must be thoroughly examined, and all members must take responsibility and work toward change."

Along with their statement, the staff proposed five institutional reforms for sustainable change at the university: strengthening the functions of the Human Rights Center, expanding case-based participatory human rights and ethics education, making campus safety management mandatory, establishing a victim protection system, and institutionalizing regular human rights forums and surveys. They stated, "These five tasks are the starting point for the university to regain its true essence and become a just and safe community."

The staff added, "Education should not be a space for exercising authority, but a community where mutual respect and responsibility coexist. We hope that the university will use this incident as an opportunity to establish a human rights-centered campus culture and redefine its ethical standards."

The university administration also announced, "We will thoroughly investigate all issues, including the alleged misuse of student council funds, and transparently disclose the results," adding, "We will do our utmost to create a safe and healthy educational environment that all members can trust."