Yonsei University Graduates 2,373 Issue Statement Supporting Campus Workers' Struggle... "Very Embarrassed"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] Amid reports that three Yonsei University students filed criminal and civil lawsuits against cleaning and security workers for disrupting classes, Yonsei University alumni have expressed their support for the workers' struggle, calling the situation "devastating and shameful."

On the 13th, Yonsei University alumni stated regarding the incident of suing campus workers, "It is very shameful," and "We support the legitimate demands and struggle of the cleaning and security workers." A total of 2,373 Yonsei University alumni participated in this statement.

They said, "It is regrettable that ignorance is placing responsibility for inconvenience in the wrong place, that a narrow perspective only sees immediate losses without recognizing structural contradictions, and that there is no willingness to question what the real cause is."

They continued, "In a society that silences voices protesting injustice because they are noisy, there will be no fairness. The rightful wages students will receive when they graduate and enter society, the safeguards that prevent unfair dismissal, and Sundays and vacations to rest were not created automatically. It is because voices opposing inconvenience and solidarity beyond market rules have raised the minimum standards of life for all members."

The alumni take the position that the problem lies with the 'system' regarding this controversy. They stated, "The shining floors we stand on, the windows washed clean of dust every day, come from the hands of those who still come out at five in the morning wearing rubber gloves, earning a wage of 9,390 won per hour. If those who contributed to allowing us to study in a comfortable environment are not treated fairly, we must be able to raise issues with the distorted system that created this."

Finally, they urged the school authorities to take measures. The alumni said, "We ask the school authorities to promptly take measures so that the workers who manage and protect the campus can work in humane and safe environments," and added, "The world is not a place to live alone, and we hope that no more shameful incidents occur at our beloved alma mater, where we first learned the rules of coexistence through constant compromise."

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