South Korean Female Students Protest Against Male Admissions in Women’s Universities
Starting November 11, 2024, female students at Seoul’s women’s universities, including Dongdeok University, blockaded their campuses in protest against the admission of male students. Administrators argue that the decision for coeducation is essential due to declining female enrollment, prompting backlash from students who feel their voices were ignored. The crisis reflects a broader societal rift over gender issues in South Korea, where significant wage disparities and rising antifeminism among young men exacerbate tensions between the sexes. Historically, these women’s institutions were established to empower women during a time when they were denied education.