Sparking outrage among eventgoers was an issue concerning seating allocation, which has now been fueled by a recent misunderstanding during preparations for the last Ko-Yon Games. Contrary to some expectations, the controversy between the two campuses has not yet subsided; campus wall posters spreading across Seoul Campus and fiery remarks all over social media show that students from both parties will not reach a compromise as soon as predicted.

KU, like other prestigious colleges nationwide, operates within a “one- school-two-campuses” system. The main campus, located in Seoul, serves as the hub for most administrative and official functions, while the second branch is situated in the city of Sejong, in central Korea. Students enrolled in branch campuses have long been subjected to discrimination due to Korea’s prevalent hakbeol culture – a term used to indicate an elitarian divide among graduates from different academic backgrounds.

Tension between main and branch campuses has existed ever since their inception, primarily due to differing admission requirements fueling a stark social divide. In a statement to the JoongAng Daily, Park Hyoung-jun, a critic of the hakbeol culture, highlighted the prevailing sentiment among main campus students, who often believe that their superior scores in the admissions process justify treating branch campus students differently.

Numerous news reports have recently shed light on the grievances of branch campus students, emphasizing that the issue of discrimination is not confined to academics but has also permeated social interactions and involvement in school activities that are meant to cater to all students equally. Despite the fact that students from both KU campuses were ready to rally and honor the school’s title in this year’s highly anticipated Ko-Yon Games, Sejong Campus students were seemingly met with some resistance and received unfair treatment. 

The Conflict

A few weeks ago, a poster signed by the Sejong Campus student union surfaced near the West Gate, bearing the provocative title, “Are we spectators?”. The opening lines of the poster strongly condemned discriminatory actions targeted at the branch campus, laying responsibility at the feet of both the Central Steering Committee and KU Student Union (KUSU). The poster directly accused these entities of displaying bias in seat allocation for the games, contending that this inequality was rooted in the likewise uneven level of contribution that the branch campus made to event planning. However, what truly underscored the problem was that the central student bodies failed to establish conditions conducive to Sejong’s participation; they demonstrated a clear preference for allocating seats to the main campus based on their perceived higher degree of contribution.

On the date of August 13, KUSU gathered for a significant meeting tasked with determining the allocation of tickets for each department. However, a notable omission marred the proceedings as Sejong representatives found themselves denied from the opportunity to vote, citing the absence of a prior precedent. The consequence of this decision reverberated, leading to a substantial reduction in the number of seats allocated for Sejong branch students, particularly impacting their participation in the baseball match. More specifically, the allocation of seats in the Goyang stadium deviated from the norm, relying once again on the criterion of planning involvement. This unprecedented shift in practice not only fueled additional discontent but also transformed into a heated confrontation unfolding across various social media platforms. To exacerbate matters, some Seoul students have taken an extreme stance, asserting that their counterparts from Sejong lack the entitlement to request differential treatment.

Voice of the Students

To gain a clearer understanding of the controversy, The Granite Tower (GT) managed to obtain two declarations provided by a KU student and a recently graduated alumna.

GT: Are you aware of the tension existing between KU’s two campuses? How do you feel about it?

Kim Haneul (’19, Korean Studies Division of Global Studies) (Sejong Campus alumna): I have never attended the Ko-Yon Games or the Ipselenti Jiya – Hamsung festival during my time at KU, but I am aware that sporadically, especially in proximity of big school events, hateful comments appear on Everytime targeting Sejong campus students. It is true that there is a significant gap in admission requirements, but as long as we do not pretend to be Seoul campus students, I do not think it is fair that we receive such a treatment for merely wanting to partake in school activities. Not only do we pay our tuition fees directly to KU, but they are also considerably higher than in other institutions.

Kim Minju (’20, Food Bioscience and Technology) (Seoul Campus): I am aware of the overall social stigma and prejudice against Sejong students. Though I have not met anyone asserting strong opposition or hatred against Sejong students in person, if you look for hate comments on online communities, you might see such things very often. Some students think being accepted to KU or other elite universities is an achievement solely attained by themselves through their individual ability and hard work, but I do not think that is the only factor. They [the students described above] think that those who have not entered elite universities have not tried enough and therefore deserve to be looked down upon.

Conclusion

The confrontations between students at the two branches have brought deep- seated issues to light, demonstrating the extensive reach of social bias in the overall experience of branch students. Through the voices of KU students, it becomes evident that fostering unity and inclusivity among both campuses is of paramount importance. Establishing clear communication channels, guidelines for decision-making, and frameworks for resource allocation are essential steps toward addressing these issues constructively. Working together to create a more harmonious environment benefits all students, regardless of their campus affiliation. In the end, the need for systemic change and a collective effort to bridge the gap between the Seoul and Sejong campuses is crucial for a healthier and more inclusive university experience at KU.