The press conference underway. Photographed by Kim Seung Hyun

By Lee Jeong Min (cosmos0330@korea.ac.kr)

On November 25, Korea University Student Association (KUSA) and KU Occupation Committee held a press conference to announce the Declaration of the Main Hall Occupation Protest. The press conference started off by explaining the reasons behind the decision for the occupation of Main Hall, what the students are raging against, and further plans.

The occupation of the Main Hall, which is one of the most symbolic building of KU featuring President Yeom Jae Ho’s office and other administrative offices, started the previous day, November 24, from 6:00 P.M. The direct cause of the students entering into the Main Hall was because of KU’s unilateral efforts to revise the school system and the unilateral attempts to establish Future College (Crimson College), which has incited much opposition from KU students and professors.

A General Assembly is to be held on November 28, to not only discuss the two issues but also to urge students to partake in the movement for the resignation of President Park Geun Hye and the establishment of a democratic process within KU that can successfully reflect the opinions of students. However, as it became clear that President Yeom is scheduled to leave overseas a day before the General Assembly and right before the School Administration Meeting, which will be the day the establishment plan for Future College will be signed, students rose up against President Yeom. The public opinion is that Yeom’s departure is a way to simply ignore students’ requests for communication.

“The reason we had no other choice but to occupy the Main Hall is because while students have continuously tried to communicate with the school, President Yeom merely ignored us and even ran away from us,” said Ko Jun Woo, one of the members of the Occupation Committee. “We cannot help but ask whether the school is democratic. We are here to protect the democracy of KU,” he added.
The Occupation Committee and KUSA have vowed to continue the occupation until the school accepts their demands and President Yeom shows willingness to communicate with the students.

The Occupation Committee and KUSA have vowed to continue the occupation until the school accepts their demands and President Yeom shows willingness to communicate with the students.

출처 : 고려대학교 고파스 2024-04-28 03:49:11: