Five Universities in Gwangju and Jeonnam Restrict Dormitory Access for Students with Mental Disorders

Seo Mihwa: "Discrimination in Youth Housing Should Not Be Overlooked"

Five universities in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions are excluding students with mental disorders from dormitory life.

According to data submitted by Assemblywoman Seo Mihwa (proportional representative) of the Democratic Party of Korea to the Ministry of Education on September 18, five out of 32 two-year, three-year, and four-year universities (based on campus) located in Gwangju and Jeonnam have regulations that restrict or forcibly remove students with mental disorders from dormitory residency.

Mokpo Science University, Gwangju Health University, and Chosun College of Science and Technology restrict students with mental disorders from entering dormitories altogether, while Chosun University and Nambu University not only restrict entry but also have rules that allow them to order the eviction of students already residing in dormitories.

Of the remaining 27 universities, excluding four that did not submit data, 23 were found to have no regulations excluding students with mental disorders from dormitory residency.

Assemblywoman Seo stated, "Defining people with mental disorders as a potential risk group and excluding them is a measure that reinforces prejudice and stigma," adding, "Recently, a similar case was revealed at the Narakium Student Housing, causing a social stir. Discrimination repeatedly occurring in youth housing spaces should no longer be ignored."

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