Kyung Hee University campus in Seoul (Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/CCL)
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – “I live in shame in ruins.” With these stark words, 226 professors and researchers from Kyung Hee University and Kyung Hee Cyber University launched an unprecedented declaration on November 13, joining a growing chorus of academic voices criticizing President Yoon Seok-yeol’s administration.
The declaration stands out among similar statements from universities nationwide for its deeply personal tone, as professors grapple with their role as educators in what they describe as increasingly challenging times for South Korean youth.
“I no longer know what expression to make when calling attendance for my first lecture after the Itaewon tragedy, upon encountering a name that receives no response,” one passage reads, reflecting the emotional toll recent events have taken on the academic community.
The professors’ statement addresses several recent incidents that have shaken South Korea’s academic community: the Itaewon crowd crush, the death of the young soldier Chae Sang-byeong during ill-advised flood rescue operations, and an incident at KAIST in which a student was gagged and forcibly removed while protesting against budget cuts during a speech by the President.
These events, they argue, have fundamentally altered their relationship with students and their approach to education.
“I can no longer tell students heading to military service to thank them for protecting our country and wish them good health,” one professor wrote, highlighting the impact of recent military-related controversies on campus life.
An outdoor rally organised by the opposition Democratic Party of Korea to condemn the ‘manipulation of state affairs by the president’s family’ and to call for the acceptance of a special prosecutor is held near Sungnyemun Gate in Seoul on the afternoon of 9 November. (Yonhap)
The declaration takes direct aim at President Yoon’s leadership, accusing his administration of perpetuating “countless lies” and corrupting public discourse. “Words that reign supreme are endlessly rude, and words that make excuses for themselves insist on changing the Korean dictionary,” the statement asserts, before explicitly calling for Yoon’s resignation.
In a striking display of solidarity, the university’s outdoor plaza now features a banner reading “Shameful. Resign,” accompanying the declaration.
The document is notable for its structure, featuring twelve sentences beginning with “I,” each outlining the professors’ vision for societal change. “I want to create a society with you again where everyone has their rightful rights as a citizen,” reads one such statement, emphasizing the collaborative nature of their proposed reforms.
While acknowledging their own responsibilities as “citizens and educators,” the signatories express determination to move beyond current circumstances. “We will no longer remain in the ruins in shame, but strive to restore humanity in our lives,” they declare, promising to “invent new words and realities.”
The professors conclude their statement by calling for President Yoon’s immediate resignation, citing his alleged indifference to public safety and tendency to “hide the truth with lies.”
The declaration has garnered significant public support, with alumni and netizens praising the professors’ courage. “I deeply appreciate the courage of the professors at my alma mater,” commented one graduate from the class of 1992.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
