University student protests have marked every watershed event in modern Korean history. During the Japanese colonial era, Korean students studying in Tokyo led the country in a nationwide resistance movement; during the military regime that took over the emergent nation for over two decades, university students -- mainly those of SNU -- stood on the front lines in the fight for democracy. After the late nineties, student demonstrations gradually cooled down. Now, student demonstrations are putting on a new face. Through the recent occupation of the administration building by SNU students which lasted for 28 days, a change in the culture of student demonstrations could be seen.
From Violence to Creativity
If the student movement in Korea during the 1980s was marked by rigid discipline and chanting, a new movement centered on ‘play’, and ‘liberty’ is on the rise. In the 80s students painted seditious slogans declaring a “fight to the death” or demanding a complete overthrow of the one they hold responsible. Slogans were painted in brusque strokes of red or black; leaflets were composed of contents showing the students’ full determination for an unquestionable cause. However, SNU students in 2011 did away with contentious forms of protests and found creative ways to proclaim their dissatisfaction with the enforcement of the recent changes concerning SNU becoming a legal entity.
SNU President OH Yeon-Cheon was parodied as a character in the classic historical novel written during the Ming dynasty “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”. His name was written in Chinese style ‘Yeon Baek Oh’ with his picture on a giant Three Kingdoms playing card. On the walls of the administration buildings are parodies of various classical poems, K-pop songs, and even catchphrases in order to criticize what they claim to be the rigid attitude of the school and the fact that the president refuses talks with students.
Of them the most famous was UV’s recent K-pop hit “Itaewon Freedom”, lyrics re-written into “Chongjang-sil (President’s Office) Freedom”, calling on all students to meet up at the Bonboo (Administration Building). The song was made into a music video by singing group “Gil (Road)” of the College of Education and motion group “Golpae”, then uploaded on Twitter, which created a sensation among students across the country.
To further voice their opinion on the issue of SNU’s incorporation, the students organized a “Bonboostock”, a rock festival demonstration on June 17 and 18. In this form of cultural struggle in which music and image were combined, 23 indie bands participated including the popular band “Broccoli, You Too”, which consists of SNU graduates. Last week a flash mob was also assembled in the downtown area of Myeongdong, even though the summer holidays have officially begun.
From Battle to Studies
The movement for democratization in Korea led by students required sacrifice and mobilization for a cause. The students abandoned their classes and rallied in the streets. They frequently clashed with the police. On the other hand, students in the 21st century will sacrifice neither the cause nor their studies. On the fourth floor of the administration building the Student Council set up a study room for students to prepare for their final exams, as the exam week overlapped exactly with the occupation period. This way the students were able to study as well as participate in a cause they believed in.Professor CHOI Kabsoo of the Department of Western History, who is participating in the Joint Countermeasure Committee for the Incorporation of SNU, witnessing this novel appearance of demonstrations, pointed out that “A new history of student movement appropriate for the 21st century is emerging.”
From Leaflets to Twitter
The medium which the students employed to give voice to their cause has changed as well. In the past, huge slogans on placards and flyers were the main if not the only means for spreading the word. Perhaps due to the dissemination of high speed Internet throughout the country, in addition to as many as 60% of university students using smart phones, the medium through which students are mobilizing support has moved from offline to online. SNU students’ creative protest against the school’s legalization is now regarded as a demonstration made successful through the ‘SNS revolution’.
LEE Hanvit, a senior student in the Department of Political Science who took a tour of the Administration Office sit-in, commented, “As various students come to participate, new ideas that weren’t present before are emerging. If in the past struggle was against an ‘enemy’ and centered around strong condemnation and fast mobilization of students, now with the help of the Internet the students are attempting a natural change via social consent and the support of public opinion.”
Turning SNU into a legal entity was discussed for some time but fast became a controversial issue following the approval of the SNU Autonomy Legislation which was allegedly rushed along with the 2011 budget bill by the ruling party on December 8 of last year. The SNU Student Council launched a full occupation of the administration building as an expression of objection to what they viewed as “an undemocratic decision” and to spread awareness to fellow students.
To the surprise of the older generation, who frequently criticized today’s students for being uninterested in politics, the demonstration successfully held out for 28 days, officially coming to an end on the morning of June 27. The conclusion of this long-run demonstration was decided at the Temporary Total Students’ Meeting during which 40 voted for and 19 against it, among 61 representatives.
The practical objective of the occupation was to disband the Preparatory Committee. As this goal was not achieved, the end of the occupation was met with criticisms that it did not lead to any tangible results. Student Council President JiYoon (she refuses to use her last name due to her belief that it is a spin-off from paternalism) shed tears in a press interview while announcing the official ending of the administration building sit-in.
“If one asks of the future of our nation, let them raise their heads towards Gwanak.” This is a line written by the renowned Korean poet JEONG Hee-Sung, a graduate of SNU. When SNU was relocated from Daehakro to Gwanak in the 1980s, Jeong wrote this poem to commemorate SNU students who played a leading role in Korea’s democratization. Nevertheless, through this recent heated debate over SNU becoming a legal entity, SNU students have demonstrated once again their commitment to social progress albeit in a new and novel way.
Written By LEE Bo Young, SNU English Editor, bylee0708@snu.ac.kr ?
Reviewed by Eli Park Sorensen, SNU Professor of Liberal Studies
Proofread by Brett Johnson, SNU English Editor