One of the election pledges of the current Korea University Students’ Association (KUSA) Godaegonggamdae was the withdrawal from the Hankuk University Student Association (HUA). Korea University’s (KU) secession from HUA can thus be almost considered as an established fact, but the process has been delayed for a while.
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One of the main thrusts of HUA is that the government should reduce the expensive tuition fees at Korean universities. The so-called “half tuition movement” was instigated by HUA when members participated in active protest against the Korean government last year. Thus it is not an exaggeration to say that HUA consists of a group of politically active student councils. In this sense, those who consider themselves as “conservatives” usually have a negative impression toward HUA, whereas “liberals” usually have the opposite view.
KU’s Withdrawal
The winner of the election for the 45th KUSA in November 2011, Godaegonggamdae, was unique as its pledges differed from those of other candidates in that the new council showed relatively less interest in active participation in our nation’s broad social and political issues. It even made the campaign promise that it would withdraw as a member of HUA. This also revealed a clear distinction from some other previous KUSAs that advocated stronger roles in those issues mentioned above.
The reason that Godaegonggamdae tends to take a negative view toward HUA is quite simple; it believes that HUA is going beyond the limits of merely being a student association. As can be seen on HUA’s website and in its advertising materials, HUA espouses a great deal of anti-government ideology; the initial aim of providing good college environment seems to have been lost amid its antagonism toward a particular political party. Likewise, HUA has been showing rather extreme political voice by justifying itself as a student association.
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| ▲ A placard about the jeongchaek vote. Provided by goham20.com | ||
Godaegonggamdae publicized that the voting would be held in September, just a few weeks after the end of summer vacation. However, similar to how KUSA had difficulty in promoting the procession of voting last semester, some people cast doubt on the active participation of students. Park Eui Yeon (’11, Journalism and Mass Communication), who had been a staff member in the 44th KUSA, emphasized that student’s opinions should be clearly reflected through the poll. She said, “Before the jeongchaek vote session, all students must be given the opportunity to become aware of this issue. What is most important is that they know the facts, as well as understand both sides of the arguments.”
The Jeongchaek Vote Session: A Revealing of Student Opinion
The fact that the voting session was not actively promoted led it to be delayed until September. Godaegonggamdae has been exerting massive efforts for several months to find a good method to raise awareness of the voting session. Park Jong Chan said, “We organized a forum about this issue, and are currently going through a process of editing a leaflet that contains information about it. In addition, we have been uploading documents that support our argument to the KUSA website.”
Some students might think that the voting session might be too sudden as the beginning of a new semester is quite hectic. However, Godaegonggamdae has a valid reason to “rush” the voting. Park Jong Chan mentioned, “Our term in office ends in November, which in other words means that we should not put off any of the work that we have initially planned to do.” He further explained that there would also be a mobile or online voting system for student convenience.
Of course, there are some students who have a different opinion from that of KUSA. Choi Jeong Min (’11, English Language and Literature) said, “The voting session seems to be overemphasized at the moment. I personally think that the current KUSA should rather put their time and effort into student welfare.” She also claimed that there seems to be no other appropriate university associations as an alternative to HUA. It is Godaegonggamdae’s role to mediate between two opposing sides. Park said, “We will try to show that there exists an alternative to being a part of HUA. There are other ways to show solidarity with other universities by which we can cooperate to achieve common goals of collegians.”
What Other Choices?
If KUSA manages to withdraw from HUA, Goadegonggamdae would have to come up with a countermeasure whereby the school would be able to continue to participate in joint meetings with other universities. Park Eui Yeon said, “KUSA should have a practical and realistic alternative ready if it ends up withdrawing.” Currently, Godaegonggamdae believes that “The Organization of University Student Body Presidents” is one of the most credible alternatives to HUA as it seems to have certain merits that the latter does not offer. Park Jong Chan said, “HUA has as core problem that it does not allow universities to withdraw once they join. However, ‘The Organization of University Student Body Presidents’ has no such restrictive article of entry and withdrawal. Moreover, since it does not follow the chairperson system, all student councils have equal control over an issue.” He further mentioned that fewer than 20 student bodies take part in HUA, whereas nearly 50 participate in the other. Park Jong Chan emphasized, “In order for college solidarity to gain more power, the number of student body participants is important.”
Because HUA is being criticized for showing great political bias, students in agreement with the withdrawal from HUA argue that other groups should try to limit political affiliation. Nevertheless, it seems difficult and unrealistic for HUA to do so because it has been organized for the purpose of leading progressive movements.
Some students may also raise questions regarding the necessity of KUSA joining any student body group after the withdrawal. Park partially agreed with this, but provided a condition that this point would be valid only if the student council dealt with student welfare matters. However, many college students expect student bodies to come up with a solution for education rights, such as decreased college tuition fees. He said, “For these problems, it is not possible for individual schools to take a fundamental approach. Many student bodies of different schools should cooperate to make changes that are nationwide.” Thus, it seems that KUSA joining another joint association is the most realistic measure to the withdrawal from HUA.