"Jo Joo-bin Also From Student Newspaper... Most Nth Room Members Are University Students" Controversy Over University President's Remarks

Soongsil University.
Photo by Soongsil University

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The president of Soongsil University criticized the campus newspaper 'Soongdae Sibo' while mentioning Cho Ju-bin, the main perpetrator of the 'Nth Room' case. It was also reported that the school tried to dismiss all the newspaper reporters after articles criticizing the president were published.

On the other hand, the school explained that the criticism in Soongdae Sibo regarding the university's face-to-face class policy was pointed out by the weekly professor as needing corrections and supplements, and that the articles criticizing the president were not an issue. Regarding the reports that the president dismissed reporters, the school stated that the president only received reports, and the announcement that the newspaper could not be published due to budget shortages was a result of additional budget processes, denying any media suppression.

On the 17th, the Soongsil University Student Council, Soongdae Sibo, the University Journalists Network, and the Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media held a press conference at Soongsil University and disclosed the remarks made by President Jang Beom-sik at the student representatives' meeting held on the 23rd of last month.

According to the released minutes, President Jang said, "Soongdae Sibo is not a personal SNS, so it must record accurate facts, and in any form, publishing facts and various opinions based on facts is journalism," adding, "Previously, the newspaper (campus newspaper) had all sorts of nonsense about school grades and COVID-19 (related to face-to-face class decisions), but I did not mention it and let it pass."

He then asked the student council president and college student council presidents if they knew Cho Ju-bin. He said, "Cho Ju-bin is 25 years old, a university student like you, was a reporter for the campus newspaper, and was an editorial director who cared for the school," adding, "He constantly caused friction with the school but was never once restrained by the school, and that school nurtured that devil."

He also mentioned Moon Hyung-wook of the 'Nth Room' case, saying, "About 162 people involved in that act were university students," and added, "The fact that most of the disgusting acts in the Nth Room and Doctor's Room were committed by university students."

Regarding the dismissal decision of 'Soongdae Sibo' reporters, President Jang reportedly said, "I directly approved it," and stated, "We had to prevent 'Soongdae Sibo' from becoming like a personal SNS that writes untrue articles."

Photo by Soongsil University Student Newspaper 'Soongdae Sibo' Homepage Capture

Regarding this, the school explained about the reports that the president approved the dismissal of reporters, saying, "Former Editor-in-Chief Kang Seok-chan discussed with the reporters at the time, and when they insisted on their original position, the weekly professor gathered the reporters, and at that meeting, the reporters twice confirmed their intention to follow the director's will."

He continued, "This was considered a refusal of the weekly professor's editorial guidance authority, so the weekly professor dismissed all reporters and informed the president by email, and the president replied that he would confirm the matter," emphasizing, "The president did not directly approve the dismissal."

Earlier, the Soongsil University Student Council claimed that when 'Soongdae Sibo' tried to publish an article criticizing President Jang, the school dismissed all reporters, and eventually withdrew the dismissal on the condition that the article be published on the back pages.

In response, the school said, "The next day, former Editor-in-Chief Kang asked the weekly professor if he was willing to change his dismissal opinion, and the weekly professor replied that it was a decision made after careful consideration and had no intention to change it," adding, "Later, at a meeting with former Editor-in-Chief Kang and the weekly professor, it was decided to follow the weekly professor's opinion, and the controversial article was moved to a page, and if the weekly professor revised the content, it would be published as is, so the dismissal decision was withdrawn."

Meanwhile, the student council criticized, "On the 21st of last month, Academic Vice President Kim Seon-wook demanded corrections, saying 'the editorial was written based on errors,' and when it was not accepted, he blocked the publication of the 1282nd paper newspaper," adding, "The next day, on the 22nd, the school said, 'Due to sudden budget shortages this year, we can no longer publish the newspaper.'

Regarding this, the school explained, "The budget shortage was caused by the termination of the special privilege of sending periodicals at a 59% discount from the post office starting in April, which previously reduced the cost by about 10,000 won per issue, now adding about 1.2 million won in additional costs per issue," and rebutted, "Expressions such as media suppression or early termination are very inappropriate."

Regarding the controversy over the 'Cho Ju-bin' remarks, Soongsil University explained, "(The remarks about Cho Ju-bin) were not aimed at a specific person but were made in the context that the school needs guidance."

Earlier, former Soongdae Sibo Editor-in-Chief Kang Seok-chan demanded, "President Jang and Academic Vice President Kim must clearly apologize to the 'Soongdae Sibo' reporters and present measures to prevent recurrence, including guaranteeing editorial rights," and called for "the weekly professor and the newspaper broadcasting office specialist to immediately step down from their positions of responsibility."

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