"Terror and Threats Lead to Surge in Personal Protection Requests"…Dongduk Women's University Shifts Stance from 'Request' to 'Strict'

As student protests opposing the engineering transition have become more violent, Dongduk Women’s University has shifted to a hardline stance. Moving away from a defensive position, the school has expressed a firm intention to strictly punish illegal protests and has begun actively informing the public about the damages incurred.

On the morning of the 14th, as the campus protests that began after it was reported that Dongduk Women's University was considering transitioning to a coeducational system continued, students held signs reading "The school cannot break us" at Dongduk Women's University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

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On the 19th, the school posted a notice on its website titled “Report on the Recent On-Campus Violence” authored by the “Dongduk Women’s University Emergency Response Committee Chairperson,” dated the 15th. The school stated, “The most serious issue in this incident is that the actions of the leading protesting students have been excessively violent and aggressive,” adding, “Within two days, nearly all buildings were occupied and shut down, property damage went beyond acceptable limits, and classes were disrupted to the extent that about 300 lectures per day were replaced with online classes, an unprecedented situation.”

Students' protests have continued following reports that Dongduk Women's University is considering transitioning to a coeducational system. Photo by Yonhap News

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It was noted that requests for personal protection have increased from professors and students who must attend face-to-face classes. There were even threats of cyberterrorism if classes were held online. The school said, “The job fair was canceled, and the graduation performance was disrupted,” continuing, “The graduation performance was forced to be relocated to an external venue due to threats, and there have been physical altercations, verbal abuse, harsh language, and mockery directed at professors. Some students even threatened professors to join the opposition to the engineering transition.” The statement added, “Groups of dozens shout ‘President come out!’ Although it is unsettling and frightening, unfortunately, due to the unique nature of the school, it is difficult to receive assistance from law enforcement.” The school apologized again to professors, staff, and many students not participating in the protests for the disruption to classes, emphasizing, “Disrupting classes is a serious criminal act. Violence can never be justified under any circumstances. The school will respond strictly to this incident.”

Protests by students have continued after it was reported that Dongduk Women's University is considering transitioning to a coeducational system. Yonhap News

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This statement is stronger in tone compared to the “Request” posted by the school the previous day. The day before, the school said, “We are closely monitoring these illegal acts,” and “It has been revealed through some media that external groups are involved. We are identifying who led and participated, how the situation spread, and what damages were caused.” The school continued, “Opposing the engineering transition or refusing to attend classes may be an individual’s right, but acts of violence and class disruption are clearly illegal. The school intends to deal with these illegal acts severely on multiple levels.” It also urged, “We ask for your cooperation to stop all illegal occupations and protests so that reason can prevail and normal classes and academic administration can resume.”

According to the Emergency Response Committee, the student protests opposing the engineering transition, which began on the 11th, have continued for five days. The protests are led by the Student Council and the “Engineering Transition Opposition Committee,” citing the school’s unilateral push for the engineering transition. On the 14th, there was a second meeting with student representatives. The school repeatedly explained that the engineering transition discussion was part of a development plan to enhance the competitiveness of certain colleges and that no concrete steps had been taken. However, student representatives claimed that since the school proceeded unilaterally without consulting students, the school bears full responsibility for the situation.

Students' protests have continued following reports that Dongduk Women's University is considering transitioning to a coeducational system. Photo by Yonhap News

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The engineering transition was first mentioned as an agenda item at the Innovation Promotion Team meeting on November 5. After discussion at the Academic Affairs Committee on the 12th, the plan was to explain it to the Student Council and sequentially gather opinions through meetings with department heads, all professors, all students, and staff. However, the school claims that the students’ surprise occupation of the main building began on the 11th, a day before the Academic Affairs Committee meeting. The school argues that the situation escalated because the deans did not keep a 5 p.m. meeting appointment, but also stated that they had explained in person that the meeting needed to be postponed briefly due to circumstances, and it is unreasonable to use this as a reason for the surprise occupation.

Meanwhile, on the 18th, the university disclosed communication between university authorities, the Student Council, and the Central Operations Committee regarding the engineering transition.

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