At least 150 students at Dongduk Women's University have taken a time off education to protest the school's plans to transition into a coeducation school.
Local broadcaster JBTC reported Sunday that 56 students have decided to take a semester off this year, with 89 more planning to take two semesters off. One student was quoted as saying that since the university is run by a private foundation, she believed not paying the tuition would be the most effective way to reduce the school's main source of income.
The students' union of the university is planning to conduct a demonstration between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. of Sunday in front of the Dongduk Building -- an office building owned by the university's foundation -- located near Anguk Station in Jongno-gu, central Seoul. The protest will decry what the students claim is unjust oppression against the students, 21 of whom have been accused for vandalism on school facilities.
The university claims that the spray paint by protesting students inflicted as much as 5.4 billion won ($3.7 million) in damage, but the student council has been refusing to pay compensation.
Dongduk Women's University and the student council in December agreed on setting up a committee to discuss the coed transition plans, which will commence its operation in March and will conduct activities for six months. The committee will consist of the students, officials and professors of the university along with its alumni.
But several students have voiced doubts over operation of the committee, saying details of its operation have not been made public.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com
