"Return Tuition Fees for the First Half of the Year" 2,600 University Students Participate in 'Tuition Refund Lawsuit'

As of the 23rd, the number of university students participating as plaintiffs in the tuition refund lawsuit led by the Jeondaenet Tuition Refund Movement Headquarters reached approximately 2,600 from 72 universities nationwide. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] More than 2,600 university students nationwide have joined a 'tuition refund lawsuit,' claiming their right to education was infringed due to the COVID-19 pandemic at their respective schools.

Six lawyers from the Education and Youth Committee of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun), representing the lawsuit, plan to file a complaint at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, as early as July 1.

According to the National University Student Council Network (Jeondaenet) on the 24th, as of the previous day, the number of university students participating as plaintiffs in the tuition refund lawsuit led by Jeondaenet's Tuition Refund Movement Headquarters reached over 2,600 from 72 universities nationwide.

The recruitment of plaintiffs began on June 18 and will close on the 26th. University students wishing to participate need only pay a litigation fee of 10,000 KRW.

Jeondaenet plans to group participating students by their affiliated universities and file lawsuits against their respective schools.

Jeondaenet also announced plans to hold the Ministry of Education accountable for negligence in managing and supervising university academic operations.

They noted that while some universities, such as Konkuk University and Hansung University, formed consultative bodies between university administrations and student representatives to announce 'tuition reduction' measures, raising the discussion of tuition reduction across universities requires problem-raising through litigation.

Lee Hae-ji, Executive Director of Jeondaenet, stated, "It appears that very few universities, like Konkuk University, are discussing tuition reductions for all enrolled students," adding, "Considering the decline in class quality due to remote learning and the non-use of school facilities, the students participating in the lawsuit believe that at least one-third of the tuition paid should be refunded."

The Minbyun Education and Youth Committee argues that since universities suspended face-to-face classes and were unable to hold various events or projects after the COVID-19 outbreak, unused budgets have accumulated, and if these are not returned to students, it can be considered unjust enrichment.

Furthermore, if students who paid tuition expecting the level of instruction typical of face-to-face classes had to attend lower-quality online classes, the universities could be held liable for damages due to breach of contract.

Attorney Park Hyun-seo of the Minbyun Education and Youth Committee explained, "There are unspent university budgets such as laboratory and practical fees, and students commonly testify that the quality of remote classes is significantly lower compared to face-to-face classes," adding, "The amount of tuition refund will vary between national/public and private universities and by major, but we plan to prepare so that students receive at least one-third of the tuition paid."

The tuition refund lawsuit by university students may be canceled depending on what tuition measures the government, political circles, and universities propose in the future.

However, this is contingent on the premise that practical and acceptable measures for students affected by COVID-19 are introduced.

Attorney Park said, "If measures similar in purpose and level to the tuition refund lawsuit are introduced, there is a possibility of withdrawing the lawsuit or not filing it at all, but lukewarm measures such as selectively providing special scholarships to some students are not acceptable," adding, "For now, we plan to file the complaint at the court on July 1."

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