18 Universities Across South Korea Hold Simultaneous Protests Over Ballot Shortage

Student councils protest ballot shortage [Photo=Yonhap News]

On June 10, marking the 39th anniversary of the June Democratic Uprising, student councils from 18 universities across South Korea held simultaneous protests condemning the ballot shortage that occurred during the June 3 local elections.

According to Yonhap News, the universities involved included Konkuk University, Kyung Hee University, Korea University, Pusan National University, Sogang University, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul City University, Sungkyunkwan University, Sookmyung Women's University, Soongsil University, Yonsei University, Chonnam National University, Chonbuk National University, Chungbuk National University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Hanyang University, and Hongik University. They issued a joint declaration on their campuses, labeling the incident as a violation of voting rights.

The students demanded the following: an investigation into the ballot shortage and punishment for those responsible; measures to prevent future violations of sovereignty; structural reforms of the Election Commission; and the establishment of an independent reform monitoring body that includes citizens, particularly youth and university students.

At Yonsei University, around 200 students gathered in front of the student council building for the protest. A banner commemorating the 39th anniversary of the late activist Lee Han-yeol read, "Save Han-yeol."

Hwang In-seo, chair of the Yonsei University student council's emergency response committee, criticized the ballot shortage, stating, "The moment the most basic rights of the people are halted due to the incompetence and irresponsibility of state agencies is unacceptable."

He added, "This is not a matter of advantage or disadvantage for any political party or candidate; it is about the rights of the people, the Constitution, and democracy in South Korea. Isn’t it shameful that young people have to stand in the square again and shout, ‘Protect our vote’?"

Protest against violation of voting rights at Seoul National University [Photo=Yonhap News]

At the same time, a protest was held at Seoul National University’s Gwanak campus, where approximately 150 students, including 18 student council presidents, participated. Before the event, attendees sang the university's anthem.

Shin Ga-yeon, vice president of the College of Human Ecology student council, pointed out, "The agency responsible for managing the elections failed to prepare the ballots. A right guaranteed by the Constitution has been halted due to a single piece of paper."

Kim Jin-hyun, president of the Education College student council, emphasized, "We view this issue not through the lens of political interests but as a fundamental matter of democracy and the essence of education. The Election Commission must implement effective measures to prevent a recurrence of this situation."

The protests were not limited to Seoul; they also took place simultaneously at universities in Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, Chungbuk, and Pusan.

The student council at Chonbuk National University stated, "We remember the late Lee Se-jong, who sacrificed himself for democracy on this campus in May 1980, and we demand a thorough investigation into this incident in the name of the seniors who have protected democracy and the youth who will continue to uphold it."

* This article has been translated by AI.