The College of Liberal Arts Election Commission has officially announced the failure of the election due to the low voter turnout. (Provided by College of Liberal Arts Election Commission)

By Lee Yukyeong olkeii@korea.ac.kr

On March 25, the Korea University (KU) College of Liberal Arts Election Commission announced that the 2026 re-election had failed due to a low voter turnout. Held from March 23 to March 25, the vote recorded a turnout of 19.31 percent, falling short of the 25 percent requirement for validity. Instead of extending the voting period by two days, considering the election regulation, the Commission decided to hold a second re-election in November. Meanwhile, some argue that the failure reflects not indifference but heightened scrutiny. On the Everytime board, discussions surrounding candidates’ qualifications continue, including allegations of procedural manipulation and concerns over candidates’ insufficient experience to successfully complete their duties. Even Candidate Number 2 was disqualified, showing their inexperience in officially dealing with budgets and settlements.

Beyond the College of Liberal Arts, many colleges at KU have struggled with establishing stability. The College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of International Studies, and the Business School failed to hold the 2026 election due to a lack of candidates, while another three colleges had only a single candidate in their re-elections. The ongoing pattern of failed elections in a couple of years at KU raises broader concerns about student engagement and the sustainability of their governance on campus. It also calls into question whether current perceptions of student leadership discourage meaningful participation in voting. As of now, KU is now calling for new courageous candidates and greater student participation in future voting.
출처 : 고려대학교 고파스 2026-04-21 09:57:03: