Protester Shin Min-ki Expelled: "I Knew Yoon's KAIST Schedule That Day... It Was Not Planned"

"After the graduation ceremony, I planned to take photos and have dinner..."

At the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) graduation ceremony, Shin Min-ki, spokesperson for the Green Justice Party Daejeon City Branch, who was expelled after protesting President Yoon Seok-yeol about R&D (research and development) budget cuts, stated, "After the graduation ceremony, I had plans just like other students to take photos and have dinner," expressing that he did not anticipate the forced removal incident.

Spokesperson Shin appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 19th and said, "I had no intention of planning a protest," revealing that he only learned of President Yoon's visit to the KAIST graduation ceremony upon arriving at the venue that day. Shin was forcibly removed by security guards after protesting President Yoon's R&D budget cuts at the KAIST degree conferment ceremony on the 16th.

At the 2024 graduation ceremony held on the 16th at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, a graduate was being restrained while standing up and protesting toward President Yoon Suk-yeol during his congratulatory speech regarding the R&D budget. Photo by Yonhap News

He explained, "The notice that the Prime Minister would attend the graduation ceremony came out two days before the event," adding, "I decided to picket based on my usual thoughts, creating a placard demanding the withdrawal of the tax cuts for the wealthy and the restoration of the R&D budget cuts, which I brought on the day."

When asked if there was a verbal warning before physical restraint, he answered, "No." Spokesperson Shin said, "I did not hear any verbal warnings at all," and added, "Almost simultaneously as I stood up, my placard was taken away and attempts were made to cover my mouth." He continued, "It was impossible for me to pose any threat warranting separation measures," and claimed, "Afterwards, I was moved to a separate room near the venue and prevented from leaving. It was practically equivalent to confinement."

Regarding the presidential office's stance that it was an "unavoidable measure according to laws, regulations, and security principles," he rebutted, saying, "I do not find that convincing." Spokesperson Shin stated, "First, all graduates were notified to arrive early and underwent metal detection and baggage inspection from the time they waited to enter," and added, "The graduation hall was an indoor gymnasium the size of more than two basketball courts. I was seated at the far end of the middle row, and the space was packed with people, so it was unimaginable that I could cause any harm or disrupt the event."

In response to criticism that political actions at a graduation ceremony are inappropriate, he emphasized, "It was a personal action," and said, "As a graduate, I simply voiced my usual thoughts that I believed had to be expressed only at that place."

Spokesperson Shin said, "Even at a graduation ceremony, political actions are a citizen's right guaranteed by the constitution and laws," and added, "Therefore, even if it is for maintaining order inside the venue, I cannot accept being restrained beyond those rights. KAIST is a victim of budget cuts, and many people want to protest at KAIST."

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