"Communicate" University Students Who Wrote 'Blood Letter' Demanding Tuition Refunds

Conflict Over Partial Tuition Refund Demand as Compensation for Remote Classes
Ministry of Economy and Finance: "Tuition Issues Should Be Decided Independently by Universities"

A blood-written letter posted by a Hanyang University student on the online college community 'Everytime'. / Photo by Online Community Capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] As some university classes have been conducted online due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), conflicts between students demanding tuition refunds and university administrations are intensifying. Some students have expressed strong protests by writing 'blood letters' themselves, which is expected to cause a stir.

On the 17th, an anonymous university community, Hanyang University's 'Everytime,' posted a message titled "Is a blood letter needed instead of a tuition refund?" The author uploaded a blood letter containing phrases such as "tuition refund" and "opposition to in-person exams," stating, "The school should wake up and come up with alternatives even now. Be irresponsible, uncommunicative, reflect and take responsibility."

Hanyang University has conducted the first semester of this year through online classes, but allowed professors discretion to choose between in-person and online final exams. However, students oppose in-person exams due to concerns about COVID-19 infection. Additionally, voices are emerging requesting partial tuition refunds as compensation for the classes conducted online.

In particular, on the 5th, a conflict between students and the university escalated significantly after it was reported that a university official told a student who was protesting in front of the Hanyang University New Main Building demanding a meeting with the president, "If you want online exams, bring us students' blood letters."

On the 17th, the same day a blood letter was posted on the Hanyang University community, a photo of a blood letter reading "Yonsei University 100,000 won" was also posted on the Yonsei University community. The author also urged the school to communicate, saying, "Yonsei University, communicate."

Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, is reporting on work at the full meeting of the Planning and Finance Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 17th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Although students' demands for tuition refunds are growing stronger by the day, the political sphere and universities have yet to take a clear stance.

Earlier, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun instructed at an internal meeting on the 15th to "accurately assess the situation" regarding students' demands for university tuition refunds.

On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki expressed the view that it is "inappropriate" for the government to intervene in the tuition refund issue.

At a briefing to the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee on the 17th, Deputy Prime Minister Hong said, "It is a matter for universities that have collected tuition fees to decide independently," adding, "It is not appropriate for the government to mention support measures while many universities have not made decisions."

Amid this situation, Konkuk University decided to partially reduce tuition fees for the second semester this year and return the amount to enrolled students. This was a response to the student council's demand in April, stating that "the quality of classes has declined due to online non-face-to-face lectures, infringing on the right to learn." Meanwhile, most other private universities are reportedly taking a reserved stance without plans to reduce tuition fees at this time.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.