"Sexual Harassment of Female Students in Group Chat"... Four Kyungpook National University Student Council Executives Resign

Controversy Spreads After Incident Revealed on Campus Community

University: "We Will Also Check for Additional Victims"

It has come to light that executives of a student council from a department within the College of IT at Kyungpook National University made sexually harassing remarks targeting female students in an online group chat. As the controversy spread, the student council president and three other related executives resigned one after another.

According to Kyungpook National University on May 11, the problematic KakaoTalk group chat included student council executives and other enrolled students from the department. It was found that four executives, including the student council president, Mr. A, made comments in the chat evaluating the appearance of some female students or remarks that could cause sexual humiliation.

The issue was brought to public attention through the university’s online community and other channels earlier this month. It is reported that at least nine female students were affected, and some of them have already filed complaints with the police or are considering doing so. Additionally, a petition calling for the resignation of those involved in the controversy was circulated on campus.

As the controversy intensified, Mr. A and the three other student council executives expressed their intention to step down. In his resignation letter posted on the student council’s official social media account, Mr. A admitted, "I made inappropriate remarks in the group chat targeting fellow students and juniors who were not present, which could have caused sexual discomfort and humiliation."

He stated, "I deeply regret that I took the weight of my words lightly simply because it was a private chat and completely failed to consider the dignity and character of others. As student council president, I have damaged the trust and qualifications that the role demands. Taking full responsibility for this incident, I am resigning as president."

He went on to say, "I sincerely apologize to those who felt discomfort and were hurt by my inappropriate remarks. I also deeply apologize to fellow students who were disappointed by my conduct as student council president."

The university stated, "We are currently investigating the details of the incident to prevent recurrence," adding, "We will also check to see if there are any additional victims."