On November 25th, the 224th Private School Dispute Resolution Committee was held. Accordingly, a demonstration for the normalization of the board was held in front of the Yeoui-do TP Tower. It was held by the Kyonggi University Normalization Emergency Planning Committee from 13:20 to 14:00. Three students of Kyonggi University participated, and three people from Sa-hak-guk-bon(사립학교개혁과 비리추방을 위한 국민운동본부). Sa-hak-guk-bon is interested in the return of the previous foundation members. They had demonstrated with the Kyonggi University TF before, in 2014. A summary of the statement by the three students is as follows.

[1. Kim Hee-joong, the leader of the Kyonggi University Normalization Emergency Planning Committee]

 Today, there will be an important meeting that will decide the future of Kyonggi University and private schools in Korea for the next 100 years. (...) The Korean government has revised the enforcement ordinance that limits the number of recommendations for the board, giving a chance to the previous foundation to come back. It made the students who were studying hard in Korea feel grief. (...) We, students, are now used to this problem. And we are getting afraid and terrified. Son's family that shouldn't be recommended in the first place was recommended as soon as he went to jail. They should have been brought down already, but they have been protected by the government and have survived until now. (...) Son Jong-guk and the previous foundation sold the school's site peremptorily, hired professors and enrolled students iniquitously, and used violence against the students who had resisted them. (...) You, the members of the Private School Dispute Resolution Committee, should consider both ways; freedom of private school and public nature of school. Look at this demonstration. Listen to us shouting out at the top of our lungs. And then, please consider who should be your priority. We ask not to crack our school, splitting up into pro-Son and anti-Son again. Show us the right to education, equality of opportunity, and respect for the law in Korea. Show us the resolution today, right here. 

[2. Lee Ju-won, the leader of the KGU branch of the University Eco Action]

 We all gathered here for the normalization of Kyonggi University. The return of Son's family and the previous foundation is an important issue and is related to the democracy of our society. We'd like to ask the previous foundation. What kind of university will you leave to the students? It is impossible to be a high-end university if the university repeats corruption, isn't it? As a member of Kyonggi University, I don't want a chaotic college life of anxiety and confusion. Therefore I am here to raise my voice. Kyonggi University was able to have 77 years of history thanks to the lots of youth in their 20s. Thanks to them, we can protect the democracy of our society and Kyonggi University. They demanded the normalization of our school and resisted to protect our society and humanity. To make Kyonggi University clear, listen to the students. Listen to our demands. (...) We demand the normalization desperately. Thank you. 

[3. Um Ji-hye, the leader of the KGU branch of Kyonggi Peace Butterfly]

 Currently, five bills about private school improvement have been proposed to the National Assembly. If these bills pass, Kyonggi University's future can't be guaranteed because the Son's family is trying to return. These bills will enable the founder to convert the property of the abolished school to an abolishment grant. It means that the government respects the school as the foundation's private property. Many private school foundations want to get the abolishment grant and close the school. We can't guarantee that the Son's family is not one of these foundations. (...) If the Son's family comes back to the board, Kyonggi University will fall into debt and suffer from corruption and anxiety. Despite the Son's crimes, Kyonggi University was selected as an excellent university in 2023. It is a result made by our proud professors, teaching staff, and students. (...) Kyonggi University's students demand a board without the Son's family and quick and clear normalization. (...) Don't disregard the students who care for the school's future. Thank you. 

 As the normalization is delayed once again today, the anxious atmosphere among the members of the school will last longer. How and when this situation will be resolved? Meanwhile, the election for the student councils is being held. The election period is from November 25th to 27th. Since each headquarters of the student council has different strategies for the normalization progress, the result of the election might decide the fate of Kyonggi University. Students' wise decision is required more than ever.

Editor-in-Chief ⦁ CHOI BO YOUN ⦁ invierno.y@kyonggi.ac.kr