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A New Kyonggi University Made by the Power of the Students
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  • 등록 2021-08-31 00:41:50
  • 수정 2021-08-31 09:22:00
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 As chairman for eight years beginning in 1985 and president for 11 years beginning in 1993, Son Jong-kook, the center of corruption at Kyonggi University, has returned to the school after 20 years. He was appointed by the board of directors, which created the biggest disgrace in the history of Kyonggi University. Upon hearing the news, students and faculty were ashamed of the board’s irresponsible behavior. It was an anti-democratic act that ignored their intentions and they insisted on a no-confidence motion against the president. Students and faculty members opposed Son’s return and looked into why he should be prevented from returning.

 

Son’s Brutality and Substance

 

 Son’s father, Son Sang-kyo, took over Kyonggi University in 1957 after the establishment of Kyonggi Academy, and the Son family led it. After Dean Son Sang-kyo stepped down due to a series of business failures, his son Son Jong-kook took over the school despite student rallies and protests. In 1987, the president of the Suwon Student Council accused him of corruption by stealing documents from the General Affairs Office, and Son resigned. However, in 1993, Son returned to the presidency. That year, Son used members of the athletic club to create friction among students. “Kyonggi Battle” was an incident in which a group scuffle took place using members of an athletic team by threatening the scholarships of ordinary students who were shouting against the Son family. The judo department patrolled the school and used violence, such as tearing up Son’s resignation poster, assaulting students, and kidnapping the Student Council President. In the incident, the late Oh Won-taek was killed by a blunt weapon wielded by an athlete. It was clear that the past board members were involved either directly or indirectly, but Son still served as president for eight years. In 2004, Son was arrested on charges of embezzling school fees after receiving bribes in exchange for hiring professors. In the process, he was sentenced to prison. In addition, it destroyed Kyonggi University’s reputation due to the corruption, including allegations of fraud in hiring new professors and illegal sale of educational land. Kyonggi University students' distrust of Son’s family grew even more.

 

 Son returned to the board of directors in 2019 amid student protests. Recently, the board of directors’ operative process was restructured. The consent of members of the board is needed to elect a new president. Each board member has different intentions for the operation of the university, and it has not reached an agreement because it is divided into aides who are friendly to Son and vice versa. In a difficult and confusing situation, the Student Council conducted an online signature campaign and issued a statement calling for normalization of the board and opposition to Son’s return. Students were shocked by the news that a major obstacle to the school’s development will return and therefore the students are trying to prevent the return. Pharos heard the opinion of the President of the Student Council representing the students.

 

An Interview with the President of the Student Council

 

How did you feel when you heard of Son’s plan to return?

 

The President of the Student Council: When I first heard the news, I couldn't think of anything in my head. I just kept thinking “no”. My heart felt heavy and I was angry at the thought of how long this process would be repeated. The removal of former President Son is an undeniable goal of Kyonggi University students. As a student representative, I felt responsible and started to work harder. The driving force was the collective effort of 13,000 students, and I would like to thank everyone here.


What was the effort and action that made Son to withdraw his plan to return?


The President of the Student Council: Around January, Son filed a complaint against illegal activities. Since then, I have informed the students of Son’s departure and made a statement. Recently, a one-man protest was held at Bangbae Police Station, where former President Son is being investigated, and 7,000 students participated in the student signing campaign. In addition, I held protests against Son’s intervention and called for normalization of the board of directors, and I delivered the opinions of the students directly to the board. It was publicized through an article, and we hoped that the public would be interested in it. We also told state agencies such as the Ministry of Education and Bangbae Police Station. 


In what direction should the school move forward after announcing Son’s resignation?

 

The President of the Student Council: He has stepped down but there are still internal members who admire him. Deep reflection is needed from school representatives, including the board of directors. Schools should no longer be affected by the old foundation and strive for school development through fair decision-making. In addition, members should not let their guard down with a single statement from Son but should continue to shout in earnest.

 

What do you want from the students and the school?


The President of the Student Council : First of all, thank you to all 13,000 students. The long and difficult course was able to end with the students’ efforts. However I want you to know that it’s not really over yet. Son has stepped down, but I think there will still be people who admire him. I hope we can always strongly protest together. The school should no longer look to the involvement of the old foundation. We hope that they will thoroughly block intervention and contribute to the achievements of those who wish to move forward. Let’s let our voices shout with fervor.

 

Korean Professors’ Union Interview

 

Please introduce yourself briefly.


I’m Professor Kim Hyun-chul, the head of the organization of the Korean Professors' Union. Professor Park Kyung-sil, who serves as the chairman of Kyonggi University, has completely agreed regarding the claims of corruption.

 

What did you think after reading the statement of former President Son’s position, announced on June 30th?


I read the statement of former President Son Jong-kook. I heard about the signature campaign involving 7,000 students. I thought that what the students and professors wanted came true. However, I found something interesting when I read the statement overall. “Especially, I will respond strictly to the treatment of using Kyonggi University as a tool for intimidation.” Of course, no one should threaten Kyonggi University. Who’s going to threaten the college? The informants took issue with the corruption at the university, not threatening the university. There is no reason for the university to threaten former president Son by conducting wrong personnel intervention and administrative malpractice. He’s talking like he’s threatening the university, and he wrote that he’s going to respond strictly to the treatment. Next, Son Jong-kook, a natural man, said that he would take care of it softly, but he is determined not to let it go. Literally, he will punish those who report corruption to the school without mercy. These words are considered to have negative intentions. In our view, this kind of person seems to be flawed as a leader, so to speak. People who love the college work hard for it. Therefore I have some doubts.


What do you think of Kyonggi University’s future?

 

As of May 30, President Kim In-kyu’s term of office has expired. It’s proper that we should appoint the next president before that, but we can’t do that now. We need the consent of 5 directors to appoint the president, but there are currently only 3 directors at Kyonggi University. The other directors have been dismissed for cheating. The board of directors consists of eight directors, and we need to call in five more directors as quickly as possible. We can’t call anyone in at this point. I hope the board of directors will be normalized, the president will be appointed, and the university will operate normally as soon as possible. I hope it will be a college that benefits the students.

 

 The two photos are about a silent demonstration held in front of Kyonggi University's 1st Lecture Building on June 25th. The contents of the sign are as follows. The Foundation Board elects a neutral successor director immediately!!!

 

The New Direction

 

 Among the universities in Korea, 85 percent are private, whereas 15 percent are national and public universities. According to the head of the organization of the University Professors’ Union, there are so many schools in the country suffering from private school corruption. Among them, one of the most representative schools is Kyonggi University. Son, who also shook the foundation of Kyonggi University, declared that he would step down from his university job. He was convicted in 2004 and just last year attempted to return to the school’s board after 15 years. As his statement suggests, it took up a lot of time in his life, and you can guess that Kyonggi University means a lot to him. It will be hard to give up easily. However, the participation of more than 7,000 people in the signature-collecting campaign fully reflects the will of the students. Students are shouting for the full expulsion of former President Son Jong-kook for the sake of the school and the students. We hope that the board of directors will be normalized as soon as possible and that a new leader will fill the vacant presidency. Until that day comes, students must continue to speak out. The case of former President Son was an opportunity to rethink the direction of students and the rights of the board of directors. His statement says he has completely resigned from Kyonggi University, but the surveillance of Son is only beginning. Problems caused by the lack of interest from school board members and students have emerged regarding the recent academic and pandemic scholarships. Due to the pandemic, all students were given COVID-19 consolation scholarships. This is where the problem emerged, as the money given as scholarships replaced the students’ grade-enhancing scholarships. The problem was due to the lack of communication between the school and the students’ opinions on the replacement of part of the scholarship with pandemic scholarships. It should be noted that the influence of Son and his siblings in Kyonggi University clearly exists and that his return is always a possibility. Everyone should strive for the development of the school and be wary of sympathetic board members and hidden roots in the school. Therefore students must pay close attention in order for the school to move forward.

 

 After a struggle between students and professors, Son’s resignation was announced. However, he didn't apologize for his conduct, and everyone questioned the board members who appointed him. Through this opportunity, Pharos hope to contribute to the development of the school by increasing the level of interest in school news and boosting pride in the school. Don't forget that the development of the school is good for the individual students.

 

 

Planning Editor · KIM DA HUN · ekq8458@kyonggi.ac.kr

75th Reporter · KIM YUN JUNG · dbswnd7676@naver.com

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