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Vibrant protest art can be seen covering the walls and walkways of Dongduk Women’s University in Seoul. One of the bold proclamations reads, “We would rather perish than open our doors.” Beginning on November 11, students have organized a sit-in, taking over the main building and obstructing access to various classroom facilities across the campus, which has necessitated a shift to online classes and the cancellation of a scheduled job fair.
The uproar was originally triggered by proposals to allow male students into selected departments, but it has since ignited a larger conversation regarding the future of women-only educational spaces in South Korea, a nation currently confronting ongoing issues related to gender equality.
“The administration made this decision without consulting the students who actually attend classes here, which left us no option but to take a stand,” one anonymous member of the student council stated.
Historically, women’s universities in South Korea were founded in the early 20th century as one of the few avenues for women to pursue higher education in a male-dominated culture. Such institutions continue to play a crucial role in fostering female talent, particularly as South Korea ranks 94th out of 146 countries regarding gender equality, according to the World Economic Forum. Women only occupy 20% of parliamentary positions and represent a mere 7.3% of executives at the nation’s 500 largest corporations.
Yoonkyeong Nah, a cultural anthropology professor at Yonsei University, commented on the situation, noting, “These protests demonstrate the feelings of insecurity among young women in public spaces,” highlighting issues like voyeurism, harassment, and the alarming rise of digital sex crimes, including the recent deepfake pornography scandal.
“While the primary purpose of women’s universities is not solely to provide safe spaces, students are rallying to protect what they believe is a secure learning environment, reflecting wider societal issues in Korea,” Nah added.
The Backlash
The protests erupted after students learned that the university administration had been weighing a proposal to convert its design and performing arts programs into co-educational offerings.
University officials argue that introducing co-education is merely a suggestion being evaluated, driven by the need for practical reasons, such as the necessity for male performers in the arts, coupled with concerns about maintaining the institution’s long-term competitiveness.
A recent development led to a partial agreement allowing classes to recommence after the university decided to temporarily freeze discussions around co-education. However, subsequent meetings between student leaders and the administration ended without a compromise, as students insisted on the complete withdrawal of any co-education proposals before halting their protests.
Following the protests, university president Kim Myung-ae cautioned about “decisive measures” against the occupation, labeling it as an illegal act that infringes on educational rights.
As time passed, the debate extended beyond campus, morphing into a political controversy.
Conservative leader Han Dong-hoon urged accountability for those instigating “violent incidents” during the protests, while fellow lawmaker Lee Jun-seok, known for his confrontations with women’s rights groups, dismissed the demonstrations as “uncivilized.”
In a controversial remark, the head of a state-backed employment agency suggested “screening out” graduates from Dongduk University during recruitment, asserting he “would never accept” a daughter-in-law from the institution.
In retaliation, opposition figures accused conservative politicians of exploiting the protests to distract from their own political issues, such as allegations linked to election nominations. Former lawmaker Jang Hye-young condemned what she termed “women bashing” strategies that, she argued, only complicate life for women in South Korea.
“Stop using us,” asserted Choi Hyun-ah, president of the Dongduk student council, in an interview with Kyunghyang Shinmun. “Those who frame this issue as a gender conflict merely use students to further their own narratives.”
In a subsequent statement, the student council expressed that politicians and officials “fail to grasp the core and context of this situation, dismissing us as mere ‘rioters.’”
Simultaneous to the protests, there has been a rising wave of anti-feminist sentiment on social media.
The anti-feminist group New Men’s Solidarity has intervened, with its leader recently convicted for defamation of a feminist activist threatening to publish the personal details of protesters online, raising new safety alarms.
A female YouTuber, who publicly supported the protests, was compelled to shut down her channel after allegedly experiencing sexual harassment and identity theft attempts.
In the Background: A Demographic Crisis
Beyond the immediate dispute, the situation exposes deeper challenges tied to South Korea’s shifting demographics, as noted by Kyuseok Kim, an expert in higher education.
In the last decade, student enrollment in higher education dropped by 18% to around 3 million, as the country’s declining birthrate continues to plummet, pushing some institutions to consider eliminating departments or closing altogether.
“Universities are navigating a delicate tightrope: upholding their legacy while adopting necessary changes to ensure their longevity,” explains Kim. “Even longstanding institutions are reevaluating their identities in light of unprecedented demographic shifts.”
Following a significant vote supporting the protests, student council president Choi Hyun-ah declared, “Today, we are making history in our quest for a democratic Dongduk.”
“The existence of women’s universities is intrinsically linked to promoting women’s educational rights; transitioning to co-education would essentially render our institution obsolete,” she concluded.
Source
www.theguardian.com