[Report] "No More Need to Worry"... Visiting Korea's First University Gender-Neutral Restroom

The Nation's First 'Gender-Neutral Restroom' at a Domestic University... Consideration for Diverse Users
Braille Blocks, Handrails, Angled Mirrors, and Sinks for Cleaning Menstrual Cups
Despite Campus Opposition... Focus on Respecting 'Basic Rights'

On the morning of the 21st, the sign for the 'Restroom for Everyone' located on the basement first floor of the Saecheonyeon Hall at Sungkonghoe University. Photo by Yoon Seulgi seul97.asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] "Isn't using the restroom a basic right? I think it's only natural."

After many twists and turns, the first "Restroom for All" accessible to everyone at a domestic university was installed at Sungkonghoe University on the 16th. This restroom is designed to be used regardless of gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity, allowing anyone to use it comfortably.

When visiting the "Restroom for All" on the morning of the 21st, what stood out the most was the meticulous consideration. From the signs on the right side of the entrance symbolizing women, men, gender neutrality, people changing diapers, and disability logos, emphasizing diversity, it gave the impression of an "open space" for everyone.

Inside the 'Restroom for Everyone' located on the basement first floor of the Saecheonnyun Hall at Sungkonghoe University on the morning of the 21st. It is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate 2 to 3 or more people. Photo by Seulgi Yoon seul97.asiae.co.kr

Unlike typical restrooms where you have to push a heavy glass door to enter, the "Restroom for All" was easy to access right from the start. When pressing the restroom entry button, seemingly adjusted to the eye level of wheelchair users, children, and others, the door automatically opens accompanied by the phrase "The door is open." Pressing the "close" button inside activates the "in use" sign outside, and even if the "open" button outside is pressed, the door will not open, allowing users to feel safe.

The interior was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate more than three people. The size was designed considering those who may need assistance when using the restroom. Features such as a diaper changing table for people with children, braille blocks for the visually impaired, handrails installed throughout, and angled mirrors made to be customizable for anyone showed thoughtful care.

Inside the "Restroom for Everyone" located on the basement first floor of the Saecheonyeon Hall at Sungkonghoe University on the morning of the 21st. A washbasin that can be used by menstrual cup users is installed. Photo by Seulgi Yoon seul97.asiae.co.kr

Especially notable was the small washbasin designed considering the flow of menstrual cup users. Recently, as the number of menstrual cup users has increased, there have been calls?similar to those in Northern Europe?for a small washbasin inside the stall where the toilet is located to clean menstrual cups, but related discussions had seen no progress for several years.

Seong Gye-jin, Director of the Human Rights Department of the Emergency Committee of the Sungkonghoe University Student Council, who has been promoting the establishment of the "Restroom for All" since late 2020, explained that the facility was carefully designed with the convenience of diverse users in mind, just as the name "Restroom for All" suggests.

Seong said, "The number of menstrual cup users has increased, but there was no facility inside the restroom stall to rinse or easily replace menstrual cups," adding, "'Restroom for All' is a facility that addresses even such detailed aspects." He continued, "There are misconceptions that this restroom is for specific groups, but that is not the case. It was created to guarantee the basic rights of diverse members."

The "Restroom for All" faced a long struggle before coming to light. Although the student council began related discussions in 2017, there was considerable opposition within the campus. Seong said, "There were cost concerns like 'Why should I pay for such a restroom?' and students who had no experience with people from various groups such as the disabled and sexual minorities opposed the restroom's establishment," adding, "Rather than concerns about sexual crimes inside the restroom, it seems that the context of discrimination and hatred toward social minorities, without recognizing diversity, strongly influenced the opposition."

Even after the completion of the "Restroom for All," debates over gender-neutral restrooms arose on Sungkonghoe University's anonymous community 'Everytime' (Eta) and DC Inside's 'Sungkonghoe University Gallery.' Posts ranged from discomfort with mixed-gender use to harsh criticisms using unrefined language.

Regarding this, Seong said, "There is a difference between the unfiltered remarks on Eta and the issues raised in public forums," adding, "The comments on Eta lack logical structure and are often expressed in contexts of homophobia and racial discrimination, such as 'I hate gays' or 'The person who made the restroom for all is a Jjangkkae (derogatory term for Chinese).' These cannot be considered public opinion."

Morning of the 21st at the entrance of Sungkonghoe University.
Photo by Yoon Seulgi seul97.asiae.co.kr

Students met on campus expressed similar views. Lee Shin-hyo, a graduate student at the Graduate School of Theology at Sungkonghoe University, said, "The establishment of the restroom for all is an encouraging step against past discrimination," emphasizing, "In fact, freely using the restroom is a basic right. There are people who oppose its establishment, but I see that as discrimination that does not respect others' basic rights."

A student who requested anonymity also said, "It's not installed in every building but just in one corner of a building's basement, yet the controversy is huge," adding, "It also has significance as the first of its kind in a domestic university and as a symbol of respecting diversity, so I think it's fine."

Kim Ji-hak, director of the Korea Diversity Research Institute, who has been campaigning for restrooms for all since 2015, explained that the "Restroom for All" embodies restrooms that anyone can use equally, including people with disabilities, families with infants and young children, and sexual minorities. Kim said, "Restrooms centered on adults, with a binary gender perspective, excluding sexual minorities, have restricted people's activities. The state of unequal restrooms reflects the state of our society in a condensed form."

Regarding the use of the term "Restroom for All" instead of "Gender Neutral Restroom," Kim explained, "In Europe, both terms are often used interchangeably, but in our country, where the binary gender perspective is stronger, using the term 'gender neutral' often evokes transgender issues and leads to strong resistance. Because of this, there is an emphasis on 'all.' Ultimately, the goal is for everyone to use the restroom without discrimination."

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