KAIST Rejects All 12 Rolling Admission Applicants with School Violence Records

"Individuals Must Take Responsibility for Their Wrongful Actions"

Provided by KAIST

All applicants with a history of school violence were rejected in this year's rolling admissions at the four major science and technology institutes, including the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

According to data submitted by KAIST, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) to Assemblywoman Hwang Jungah of the Democratic Party of Korea on January 23, every applicant who received a demerit for a record of school violence during the rolling admissions was disqualified.

KAIST rejected all 12 applicants who were subject to a demerit for school violence in the 2026 academic year undergraduate rolling admissions. GIST and UNIST also rejected two and one applicants, respectively, due to their history of school violence. DGIST restricts applications from students whose school records indicate disciplinary actions for school violence ranging from measure 4 (community service) to measure 9 (expulsion).

Assemblywoman Hwang stated, "School violence, which leaves lifelong scars on victims, should not be dismissed as mere youthful indiscretion." She added, "Demerits for school violence in college admissions are not a punishment or a stigma, but an educational measure that encourages individuals to take responsibility for their wrongful actions."