Yonsei University Medical Student Sparks Controversy by Asking Indian Professor, "Are You a Refugee?"

Medical Student Explains, "It Was Another Friend"

A student from Yonsei University College of Medicine has sparked controversy after allegedly asking a foreign instructor during an online class on the 22nd, "Are you a refugee?"
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A student from Yonsei University College of Medicine has sparked controversy after allegedly asking a foreign instructor during an online class, "Are you a refugee?"

On the 24th, a post appeared on Everytime, a university online community, stating that on the 22nd, a freshman identified as A from Yonsei University College of Medicine asked an Indian instructor "Are you a refugee?" during an RC (Residential College) meditation online program.

The class was conducted via a video conferencing program, and at the time, A's microphone was on, so the remark was heard by both students and the instructor.

This class was an extracurricular program for freshmen living in the Yonsei University Songdo dormitory.

According to students who participated in the class, A was also pointed out for disruptive behavior towards the instructor.

A reportedly interfered with the class by bringing their eyes close to the camera so that only eyes filled the screen, or by replacing a student's face on the screen with a photo of a celebrity.

Especially after it became known that A was a student of the College of Medicine, posts criticizing A’s behavior appeared on the College of Medicine bulletin board. Students from the college condemned A, saying things like "It’s embarrassing that they are a classmate" and "Imagine if a Korean instructor experienced racial discrimination abroad."

Eventually, on the 23rd, A posted an apology on the community board.

However, A stated, "I was attending the class with two other friends and was unaware that the microphone was on. It was a friend who rudely asked the professor if they were a refugee. I have never uttered the word 'refugee' myself."

He added, "I deeply regret not immediately stopping the refugee-related remark. The act of zooming in on the eyes to fill the camera screen was also done by another friend."

He continued, "I deeply regret my poor attitude during the class. I have sent an apology email to the professor, and the professor responded hoping that I will learn from this mistake and not repeat it."

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