"Children Attend Seoul National University" Sticker... Civic Group Files Complaint with Human Rights Commission

SNU Car Sticker Controversy
Civic Groups Criticize "Vulgar Idea" Strongly

Recently, the Seoul National University Development Foundation sparked controversy by distributing car stickers indicating that the vehicle owner is a family member of a Seoul National University student. In response, a civic group in Gwangju filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea.

On the 19th, the Citizens' Group for a Society Without Academic Discrimination (Citizens' Group) stated, "We express regret to Seoul National University for causing controversy through an inconsiderate project and have filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission."

[Image source=Seoul National University Development Foundation website]

In a press release, the Citizens' Group said, "This merchandise uses the Seoul National University logo, which is regarded as the pinnacle of admission success, to encourage parents to 'freely flaunt their child's admission success as their own achievement,' which has drawn strong criticism from various sectors for its vulgar idea." They added, "In a society steeped in academic elitism, social status is determined by the name of the university secured at a certain time. Since there is a high risk that privilege and discrimination become normalized over ability and effort, the Human Rights Commission has strictly dealt with behaviors that promote academic elitism."

Earlier, the Seoul National University Development Foundation distributed car stickers as souvenirs to parents of current Seoul National University students, featuring the Seoul National University logo along with phrases such as 'PROUD PARENT,' 'I’M MOM,' and 'I’M DAD.'

Some criticized the Seoul National University logo stickers for promoting academic elitism. Podcast host Won Jong-woo shared a photo of a vehicle with the sticker on his Facebook, pointing out, "Seoul National University is personally proving the low intellectual level of this society."

Meanwhile, the Citizens' Group has decided to produce and distribute products for a society without academic discrimination in opposition to the Seoul National University family stickers.

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