'Yoon's Alma Mater Criticism Surge' Chungam High School Students Appeal "Unrelated to Us... Please Stop the Criticism"

Amid the martial law situation, former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun and other so-called 'Chungam faction' figures have been identified as key individuals, and the Chungam High School student council has appealed to stop the criticism directed at current students.

On the 10th, the Chungam High School student council posted a statement on their official social media (SNS) account, urging people to cease the criticism against students. They stated, "The recent government martial law situation that shook the Republic of Korea has caused ongoing confusion," and added, "Due to the connection between the President and Chungam High School alumni, there has been a surge in public criticism towards current students. Therefore, the Chungam High School student council is issuing this statement."

Chungam High School, Eungam-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. The building on the left is Chungam Middle School. Photo by Heo Young-han

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They continued, "The government's declaration of martial law was a wrongful act that plunged the Republic of Korea into chaos. The citizens' anger over the December 3 incident is something the Chungam High School student council fully empathizes with," but also said, "The President and the controversial figures graduated from Chungam High School over 40 years ago. They are individuals who briefly passed through Chungam High School as part of their educational obligation and have no relation whatsoever to the current students." Furthermore, they noted, "Since the incident, there have been continuous reports of abuse towards students in school uniforms, threats of disadvantages in employment, and protest calls to the school office," emphasizing, "Current students have no connection whatsoever with the President or the controversial figures and are innocent."

Additionally, they stressed, "Chungam High School has faced many difficulties in normalizing the school and during the gymnasium construction process, but has never contacted alumni expecting any special favors," and added, "Students have been carrying out student autonomy as members of the community with the support of teachers and the school, freely expressing their opinions and striving to practice the values of a democratic society." Finally, they earnestly requested, "Please stop criticizing the current Chungam High School students and help them safely dream and realize their futures."

Lee Yunchan, principal of Chungam High School, is speaking at the Education Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News

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Earlier, on the 5th, Yoon Myung-hwa, chairman of the Chungam Foundation, expressed on her social media account, "Protest calls have been pouring into the Chungam school office all day, and passersby have been picking fights with school bus drivers," and lamented, "I want to select Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Yong-hyun as the shameful alumni of Chungam a million times over." The next day, the school announced a notice to parents stating, "Due to increased public attention on our school amid the nation's serious situation, and to prevent students from being unfairly treated by some unreasonable citizens during their commute, from December 9, 2024, to February 6, 2025 (end of the 2024 school year), school uniforms will be temporarily relaxed." On the 9th, Lee Yoon-chan, principal of Chungam High School, attending a National Assembly Education Committee inquiry, said, "All Chungam High School staff are no different from the angry citizens. Parents and students naturally feel the same," and added, "The most common ridicule we hear from peers is to rename our school 'Martial Law High School.'"

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