'Blood Pledge' Emerges... Intensifying Conflict Over University Tuition Refunds

Some Students Demand Tuition Refunds as Compensation for 'Learning Rights Violation'
Signs of Escalating Conflict with Blood Oath Writing and Collective Lawsuit Preparations
Government: "Direct Support Difficult... Will Strive to Find Alternatives"

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

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Juhyung Lim] Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), most universities have conducted first-semester classes through online lectures, sparking controversy as some students have demanded tuition refunds.

Students argue that the quality of classes has declined with online instruction and that they were unable to use on-campus facilities such as libraries, thus deserving compensation. However, most universities have expressed reluctance, citing financial constraints. Meanwhile, tensions have escalated as some university communities have even seen the emergence of 'blood letters' demanding tuition refunds.

On the 17th, an anonymous university community at Hanyang University called 'Everytime' posted a message titled "Is a blood letter necessary instead of a tuition refund?" The author uploaded a photo of phrases like "tuition refund" and "opposition to in-person exams" written in their own blood, stating, "The school must wake up and come up with alternatives even now. Be responsible, communicate, reflect, and take responsibility."

Earlier, on the 5th, it was revealed that a university official told a student protesting for a meeting with the university president at Hanyang University's new main building to "bring a blood letter from the students," which appears to have significantly intensified the conflict between students and the university. Following the Hanyang University blood letter, students from Seoul private universities such as Yonsei University and Chung-Ang University have also posted blood letters demanding tuition refunds.

Students from the National University Student Council Network shouted slogans during a press conference announcing a 5-night, 6-day university student relay march from the Ministry of Education in the Government Sejong Complex to the National Assembly on the 15th, demanding tuition fee refunds. / Photo by Yonhap News

After universities switched to online classes following the COVID-19 outbreak, some students have continuously demanded partial tuition refunds. They argue that paying full tuition to universities while attending online lectures of significantly lower quality than in-person classes and being unable to use on-campus facilities and services such as laboratories and libraries constitutes a violation of their right to education.

In fact, Da-Hoon Lee (25), a student at Inha University, filed a constitutional complaint with the Constitutional Court in March, calling for legislation that would allow tuition reductions if universities fail to provide adequate services. The student organization 'National Student Network' plans to recruit plaintiffs for a tuition refund lawsuit on the 26th and file a class-action civil suit at the Seoul Central District Court on the 1st of next month.

Amid deepening conflicts over tuition issues between students and universities, Konkuk University became the first nationwide university to decide to partially reduce tuition fees for the second semester as compensation for the infringement of learning rights. However, the actual tuition reduction rate is still under negotiation between the student council and the university.

Nevertheless, most universities have expressed reluctance, stating they lack the financial capacity to refund tuition to all enrolled students. Instead, they have proposed supporting students through scholarships funded by government aid.

On the afternoon of March 12, a professor was recording a video lecture for an online class on advanced materials manufacturing processes in a lecture room at Ulsan University. / Photo by Yonhap News

The Korea Council for University Education stated in a position paper released in April, "We regret that we had to conduct online classes under various shortcomings due to an unforeseen situation," and added, "We will secure available resources through austerity budgets to provide scholarships to students facing financial difficulties."

They also requested, "We hope the Ministry of Education will lift restrictions on the use of university innovation support project funds at least for this year and increase the budget for Type II national scholarships to alleviate the burden on students and universities."

While conflicts between students and universities over tuition issues intensify, the government maintains a cautious stance.

On the 17th, Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, stated during a briefing to the Planning and Finance Committee, "The issue of tuition refunds is a matter for universities that have collected tuition fees to decide independently," adding, "It is not appropriate for the government to prepare support measures while many universities have not made decisions, and covering tuition refunds with government funds is not suitable at this stage."

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