"Paying Hundreds of Thousands in Tuition Fees" Heated Debate Over Some Universities' Independent 'Vaccine Pass' Implementation

Some Universities Face Public Backlash Over Vaccine Pass Requirement for Facility Use and In-Person Classes
Health Authorities: "Private Sector's Own Quarantine Measures Are Beyond Government Intervention"
Experts: "If Not Illegal, University Quarantine Measures Cannot Be Blocked"

Students attending a class in a lecture room. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Since the implementation of the 'Phased Daily Recovery (With Corona)' from the 1st of this month, some universities have independently introduced a 'vaccine pass,' sparking strong public backlash. A vaccine pass is a system that allows entry to certain facilities only to those who submit proof of vaccination or a negative test result.

There are criticisms that this is clear discrimination against the unvaccinated and that applying vaccine passes even in the private sector is excessive. Experts explained that it is difficult to prevent private entities from independently adopting vaccine passes to prevent COVID-19 infections among their members.

Recently, some universities have been applying vaccine incentives, allowing only those with vaccine passes or those who have completed vaccination to attend in-person classes or use multiple on-campus facilities.

Inha University announced on the 27th of last month that it will implement a 'COVID-19 Safe Campus' to coexist with COVID-19 in university education. Accordingly, starting this month, vaccine incentives will be applied: reservations for outdoor sports facilities will be available only to those who have completed vaccination, and facilities can be used only if more than 80% of users are vaccinated. Additionally, previously closed computer labs and group study rooms will be opened exclusively to vaccinated individuals.

Soonchunhyang University has been applying vaccine passes since the 6th of last month for entry to in-person classes, libraries, research labs, and other on-campus facilities. After the government introduced vaccine passes for some facilities such as karaoke rooms and indoor sports facilities following the With Corona policy, private entities have also been independently applying vaccine passes for some internal facilities.

On the 3rd, business owners operating indoor sports facilities held a rally in front of the Democratic Party of Korea headquarters in Yeouido, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the 'vaccine pass.' /Photo by Yonhap News

This has sparked debates in online communities. One netizen stated, "Even gyms are facing strong backlash due to the government's vaccine pass introduction," adding, "Paying hundreds of thousands of won in tuition per semester and having to verify vaccination status just to use school facilities or attend classes is excessive."

On the other hand, some argue that it is an unavoidable measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections. Another netizen said, "Universities cannot continue with only remote classes," and added, "I think applying vaccine passes to facilities where infection is a concern is inevitable."

Regarding this, health authorities have stated that the private sector's independent adoption of vaccine passes is reasonable. Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said in an online briefing on the 4th, "The government cannot forcibly prohibit or intervene in private sector efforts to restore daily life centered on vaccinated individuals," adding, "It is somewhat reasonable for the private sector to expand activities centered on vaccinated individuals that were not previously conducted."

He continued, "Cases where universities accept participation applications mainly from vaccinated individuals are not discrimination but measures to safely restore daily life based on medical judgment," and added, "Treating vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals equally without distinction is a measure that ignores the medical value of vaccination in preventing infection, severe illness, and death."

Experts also explained that if the independent adoption of vaccine passes is not illegal, it is difficult to prevent private sector measures.

Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, "The appropriateness of private sector vaccine pass adoption depends on the situation, but if there is no legal issue, there is no right to block it," adding, "The private sector also takes such measures to prevent harm caused by COVID-19 infections among its members." He continued, "Of course, breakthrough infections can occur among vaccinated individuals, but the likelihood is much lower than for unvaccinated people," and added, "Therefore, it is not desirable to block private sector measures aimed at protecting members and organizations from COVID-19."

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