Protests by South Korean female students against admitting male students into a women-only university have now spread to some other institutions, prompting an anti-feminist backlash and political row.

In early November,&nbsp;the administration of the all-women Dongduk Women's University in Seoul announced plans that would potentially make it a co-ed institution. The plan was to start adding male students to two departments.

Watch: South Korea deep fake crimes scandal, protesting women call for strict action

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The students went into protest on November 11, occupying the main building and accusing the varsity of not taking their views on the move.

The female students have been boycotting classes, with hundreds of them rallying in protest, prompting police action.

Amid all this ruckus, a man was arrested and two others were investigated for sneaking into the campus grounds.

"Although the university isn’t a perfect haven, we have felt free inside the university campus, and getting rid of a safe space where women can freely express their opinions goes against the founding purposes of the university," NextShark website quoted Lee Song Yi, co-chair of Dongduk’s emergency committee, as saying.

According to the university, the protest caused damages worth up to 5.44 billion won, or $3.9 million, said the report.

According to a report on the website universityworldnews.com,&nbsp;student councils from five of the seven women’s universities in South Korea held solidarity protests against co-education. 
 
A similar protest is taking place in Sungshin Women's University in Seoul over its plan to admit international male students into a new department, as mentioned in its admission guidelines for 2025. The document said applications for the international school were 'open to all genders.'&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/koreas-4b-movement-attracts-american-women-after-trump-wins-what-is-it-774576">Also read: Korea's 4B movement attracts American women after Trump wins. What is it?</a>

The female students are citing violence against women on campuses, as well as in the larger South Korean society, which is considered traditionally male-dominated.&nbsp;

Writing for the Korea Herald, Choi Jeong-yoon said, "The debate over the schools' potential transition to coeducation has revealed broader issues facing women’s universities in South Korea, caught between the challenges of a demographic crisis and persistent gender bias."

And that bias was out on display already.

South Korean politician Lee Jun-seok from the Reform Party condemned the protests.

Jun-seok equated the protests to that of a disability group, claiming they are rooted in "radical feminism." 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/female-dominant-society-behind-male-suicides-south-korean-councillor-blames-women-for-men-suicides-739466">Also read: 'Female-dominant society behind male suicides', says South Korean Councillor</a>

Man on Solidarity, an anti-feminist men's rights group, has said that it will hold a counterprotest in front of the university, with its leader Bae In-gyu calling the female students 'rioters'.

The Guardian noted in a report that the women’s universities were set up in the 20th century as a way of higher education for women in a patriarchal society.

It noted that when it comes to gender parity, South Korea is in the 94th position out of 146 countries as per the World Economic Forum.

There is only 20 per cent women's representation in parliament. Only 7.3 per cent of executives in the country’s 500 largest companies are women, the Guardian report noted.

(With inputs from agencies)

Protests by South Korean female students against admitting male students into a women-only university have now spread to some other institutions, prompting an anti-feminist backlash and political row.

Protests by South Korean female students against admitting male students into a women-only university have now spread to some other institutions, prompting an anti-feminist backlash and political row. In early November, the administration of the all-women Dongduk Women's University in Seoul announced plans that would potentially make it a co-ed institution. The plan was to start adding male students to two departments. Watch: South Korea deep fake crimes scandal, protesting women call for strict action × The students went into protest on November 11, occupying the main building and accusing the varsity of not taking their views on the move. The female students have been boycotting classes, with hundreds of them rallying in protest, prompting police action. Amid all this ruckus, a man was arrested and two others were investigated for sneaking into the campus grounds. "Although the university isn’t a perfect haven, we have felt free inside the university campus, and getting rid of a safe space where women can freely express their opinions goes against the founding purposes of the university," NextShark website quoted Lee Song Yi, co-chair of Dongduk’s emergency committee, as saying. According to the university, the protest caused damages worth up to 5.44 billion won, or $3.9 million, said the report. According to a report on the website universityworldnews.com, student councils from five of the seven women’s universities in South Korea held solidarity protests against co-education. A similar protest is taking place in Sungshin Women's University in Seoul over its plan to admit international male students into a new department, as mentioned in its admission guidelines for 2025. The document said applications for the international school were 'open to all genders.' Also read: Korea's 4B movement attracts American women after Trump wins. What is it? The female students are citing violence against women on campuses, as well as in the larger South Korean society, which is considered traditionally male-dominated. Writing for the Korea Herald, Choi Jeong-yoon said, "The debate over the schools' potential transition to coeducation has revealed broader issues facing women’s universities in South Korea, caught between the challenges of a demographic crisis and persistent gender bias." And that bias was out on display already. South Korean politician Lee Jun-seok from the Reform Party condemned the protests. Jun-seok equated the protests to that of a disability group, claiming they are rooted in "radical feminism." Also read: 'Female-dominant society behind male suicides', says South Korean Councillor Man on Solidarity, an anti-feminist men's rights group, has said that it will hold a counterprotest in front of the university, with its leader Bae In-gyu calling the female students 'rioters'. The Guardian noted in a report that the women’s universities were set up in the 20th century as a way of higher education for women in a patriarchal society. It noted that when it comes to gender parity, South Korea is in the 94th position out of 146 countries as per the World Economic Forum. There is only 20 per cent women's representation in parliament. Only 7.3 per cent of executives in the country’s 500 largest companies are women, the Guardian report noted. (With inputs from agencies)

South Korea: Women-only university students oppose adding male students, other campuses join stir

"Parasite" director Boon Joon-ho and other veteran members of South Korea's entertainment industry urged authorities to thoroughly investigate the case of actor Lee Sun-Kyun.

South Korea: Death of ‘Parasite’ Actor Lee Sun-Kyun's sparks protests

South Korea's unionised truckers kicked off their second major strike in less than six months on Thursday, vowing to "stop driving to change the world". The strike may disrupt oil supplies at major refineries and transport at major ports and industrial plants. The organising union kicked off 16 rallies across the country on Thursday morning, including at a port in Ulsan that houses Hyundai Motor's main manufacturing plant.

The lead organiser, the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union (CTSU), claimed that its 25,000 members, about 6 per cent of the country's total truckers, will take part in the strike along with an unspecified number of non-union members.&nbsp;

The noisy rally was underway at the crucial transport hub of Uiwang, about 25 kilometres south of Seoul. The protesters sported the banners and headbands saying, "Unite Fight", as they chanted, "We stop, the world will stop!"

The protesters reportedly split into two groups, half stayed at Uiwang and the other left for Pyeongtaek, about 44 kilometres away, close to the ports catering to the trade with China.

Why are South Korean truckers protesting?

The truckers, citing inflation and rising fuel costs, are demanding a permanent minimum-pay system known as the 'Safe Freight Rate'. This minimum-pay system currently exists in temporary form and is set to expire by the end of December 2022. The government has said it will extend the scheme for three years but rejected other union demands. In June, an eight-day, non-violent strike by truckers delayed cargo shipments across world's 10th-largest economy, costing more than $1.2 billion in lost output and unmet deliveries before it ended with each side claiming it won concessions.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-trucker-strike-snarls-supply-chains-488159">South Korean trucker strike snarls supply chains</a>

Earlier this week, transport minister Won Hee-ryong said the Safe Freight Rate system had not been proven to improve the safety of truckers but to only raise their incomes, a reason why the government has refused to expand the scope of the scheme.&nbsp;

"The government and the ruling party misled, and openly defended capital saying that truckers' income levels were not low - and that if the Safe Freight Rate system were expanded, prices could rise due to increased logistics costs," Lee said.

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-tensions-escalate-in-korean-peninsula-south-korea-scrambles-warplanes-531312">Gravitas: Tensions escalate in Korean Peninsula: South Korea scrambles warplanes</a>

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The union is asking the government to ensure big businesses are held accountable if they violate the minimum wages rule.

"Frontline truck drivers should not be sympathetic to unjustified collective action. We will strictly crack down on truck drivers' obstruction with the police so that safe transportation can be ensured," transport minister Won said on Thursday.

We have no choice: South Korean truckers

The head of the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union (CTSU) told Reuters that South Korean truckers have no choice.&nbsp;

"We have no choice but to stop all logistics in Korea," Lee Bong-ju said.

The government is deploying alternatives such as military-run container transport vehicles and considering securing more storage space in case cargoes pile up. Some industry officials noted that military vehicles may not be equipped to carry products such as steel or fresh produce.

The Korea Oil Station Association is asking gas station owners to secure enough inventory ahead of the strike, an association official said earlier, while charging stations for hydrogen-powered cars have put up signs warning that supply could be cut.

(With inputs from agencies)

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South Korea's unionised truckers kicked off their second major strike in less than six months on Thursday, vowing to "stop driving to change the world". The strike may disrupt oil supplies at major refineries and transport at major ports and industrial plants.

South Korea's unionised truckers kicked off their second major strike in less than six months on Thursday, vowing to "stop driving to change the world". The strike may disrupt oil supplies at major refineries and transport at major ports and industrial plants. The organising union kicked off 16 rallies across the country on Thursday morning, including at a port in Ulsan that houses Hyundai Motor's main manufacturing plant. The lead organiser, the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union (CTSU), claimed that its 25,000 members, about 6 per cent of the country's total truckers, will take part in the strike along with an unspecified number of non-union members. The noisy rally was underway at the crucial transport hub of Uiwang, about 25 kilometres south of Seoul. The protesters sported the banners and headbands saying, "Unite Fight", as they chanted, "We stop, the world will stop!" The protesters reportedly split into two groups, half stayed at Uiwang and the other left for Pyeongtaek, about 44 kilometres away, close to the ports catering to the trade with China. Why are South Korean truckers protesting? The truckers, citing inflation and rising fuel costs, are demanding a permanent minimum-pay system known as the 'Safe Freight Rate'. This minimum-pay system currently exists in temporary form and is set to expire by the end of December 2022. The government has said it will extend the scheme for three years but rejected other union demands. In June, an eight-day, non-violent strike by truckers delayed cargo shipments across world's 10th-largest economy, costing more than $1.2 billion in lost output and unmet deliveries before it ended with each side claiming it won concessions. ALSO READ | South Korean trucker strike snarls supply chains Earlier this week, transport minister Won Hee-ryong said the Safe Freight Rate system had not been proven to improve the safety of truckers but to only raise their incomes, a reason why the government has refused to expand the scope of the scheme. "The government and the ruling party misled, and openly defended capital saying that truckers' income levels were not low - and that if the Safe Freight Rate system were expanded, prices could rise due to increased logistics costs," Lee said. WATCH | Gravitas: Tensions escalate in Korean Peninsula: South Korea scrambles warplanes × The union is asking the government to ensure big businesses are held accountable if they violate the minimum wages rule. "Frontline truck drivers should not be sympathetic to unjustified collective action. We will strictly crack down on truck drivers' obstruction with the police so that safe transportation can be ensured," transport minister Won said on Thursday. We have no choice: South Korean truckers The head of the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union (CTSU) told Reuters that South Korean truckers have no choice. "We have no choice but to stop all logistics in Korea," Lee Bong-ju said. The government is deploying alternatives such as military-run container transport vehicles and considering securing more storage space in case cargoes pile up. Some industry officials noted that military vehicles may not be equipped to carry products such as steel or fresh produce. The Korea Oil Station Association is asking gas station owners to secure enough inventory ahead of the strike, an association official said earlier, while charging stations for hydrogen-powered cars have put up signs warning that supply could be cut. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘We stop, the world will stop’: South Korean truckers’ strike to hit crucial trade routes

More than half a million South Koreans marked New Year&#39;s Eve with a massive protest Saturday calling for the immediate arrest and ouster of impeached President Park Geun-Hye.

Candle-carrying and banner-waving protestors marched towards key buildings in Seoul including the presidential Blue House and the prime minister&#39;s office.

Police figures were unavailable but organisers estimated crowd numbers to be more than 600,000.

&quot;Park Geun-Hye step down. Go to prison now,&quot; they chanted.

Parliament voted on December 9 to impeach Park over a corruption scandal in which she allegedly colluded with her friend, Choi Soon-Sil, to wrest donations from large conglomerates to two dubious foundations.

The case is now being considered by the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to rule on the impeachment.

&quot;I came here to help usher in a new year that has no Park Geun-Hye&quot;, Kang Jae-Chun, who was at the protest with his two children, told AFP.

Demonstrators also planned to take part in a midnight ceremony in which a large bronze bell in the city centre is rung to herald in the new year.

It was the tenth protest calling for Park&#39;s immediate departure from office.

But Park, who has been suspended from her duties since the impeachment vote, has remained defiant, declaring she will wait until the Constitutional Court arrives at a decision.

Earlier on Saturday, former health minister Moon Hyung-Pyo was arrested under a court order in a widening probe to determine whether Park and Choi took bribes from businesses including Samsung.

Moon, who is now head of the National Pension Service (NPS), admitted to pressuring the state-run fund to back a controversial merger of two Samsung units &nbsp;-- &nbsp;Cheil Industries and Samsung C&amp;T -- last year when he served as health minister.

The acquisition was seen as a crucial step to ensure a smooth father-to-son power transfer to Lee Jae-Yong, scion of Samsung&#39;s founding family.

Critics said it undervalued Samsung C&amp;T stock but NPS -- the world&#39;s third largest public pension fund and a major Samsung shareholder -- backed the deal, allegedly incurring hundreds of millions of dollars in losses for NPS subscribers.

Investigators reportedly plan to question Lee next month to determine whether he told Samsung Electronics executives to funnel millions of dollars into questionable foundations and companies controlled by Choi in return for NPS&#39; backing.

Lee said at a parliamentary hearing this month he was not aware of the money transfers. 
 
(AFP)

South Koreans called for the immediate arrest and ouster of impeached President Park Geun-Hye

More than half a million South Koreans marked New Year's Eve with a massive protest Saturday calling for the immediate arrest and ouster of impeached President Park Geun-Hye. Candle-carrying and banner-waving protestors marched towards key buildings in Seoul including the presidential Blue House and the prime minister's office. Police figures were unavailable but organisers estimated crowd numbers to be more than 600,000. "Park Geun-Hye step down. Go to prison now," they chanted. Parliament voted on December 9 to impeach Park over a corruption scandal in which she allegedly colluded with her friend, Choi Soon-Sil, to wrest donations from large conglomerates to two dubious foundations. The case is now being considered by the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to rule on the impeachment. "I came here to help usher in a new year that has no Park Geun-Hye", Kang Jae-Chun, who was at the protest with his two children, told AFP. Demonstrators also planned to take part in a midnight ceremony in which a large bronze bell in the city centre is rung to herald in the new year. It was the tenth protest calling for Park's immediate departure from office. But Park, who has been suspended from her duties since the impeachment vote, has remained defiant, declaring she will wait until the Constitutional Court arrives at a decision. Earlier on Saturday, former health minister Moon Hyung-Pyo was arrested under a court order in a widening probe to determine whether Park and Choi took bribes from businesses including Samsung. Moon, who is now head of the National Pension Service (NPS), admitted to pressuring the state-run fund to back a controversial merger of two Samsung units -- Cheil Industries and Samsung C&T -- last year when he served as health minister. The acquisition was seen as a crucial step to ensure a smooth father-to-son power transfer to Lee Jae-Yong, scion of Samsung's founding family. Critics said it undervalued Samsung C&T stock but NPS -- the world's third largest public pension fund and a major Samsung shareholder -- backed the deal, allegedly incurring hundreds of millions of dollars in losses for NPS subscribers. Investigators reportedly plan to question Lee next month to determine whether he told Samsung Electronics executives to funnel millions of dollars into questionable foundations and companies controlled by Choi in return for NPS' backing. Lee said at a parliamentary hearing this month he was not aware of the money transfers. (AFP)

South Koreans protest on New Year's Eve, demand 'Park-free' 2017

Large crowds of South Koreans were expected to march in the streets today, calling for the permanent removal of impeached President Park Geun-hye and extending the historically biggest protest movement in the country to Christmas Eve.

The protest comes as a special prosecutor widens an investigation into a corruption scandal surrounding Park, which saw millions of people take to the streets before the country&#39;s opposition-controlled parliament on Dec 9 voted to impeach her.

Organisers expected Saturday&#39;s rally in Seoul to be festive, but there was tension as Park&#39;s conservative supporters planned to gather in nearby streets.

The Constitutional Court has up to six months to decide whether Park should permanently step down or be reinstated. Her presidential powers are suspended until then, with the prime minister serving as the government caretaker.

State prosecutors have accused Park of colluding with a longtime friend to extort money and favours from the country&#39;s largest companies and allow her confidante to manipulate government affairs from the shadows.

They have now handed over their investigation to special prosecutor Park Young-soo, whose team on Saturday was planning to summon the president&#39;s arrested friend, Choi Soon-sil.

Investigators earlier on Saturday summoned the country&#39;s former vice sports minister Kim Chong, who among other allegations is suspected of helping Choi wrest money and favours from Samsung, the country&#39;s largest business group.

Samsung is under suspicion that it sponsored Choi to win government backing for a controversial merger deal between two affiliates last year that helped promote a father-to-son transfer of leadership and corporate wealth at the group.

Samsung scion Lee Jae-yong, son of ailing group chairman Lee Kun-hee, has apologised over the use of corporate funds to buy a horse for Choi&#39;s daughter, Yoora Chung, an equestrian athlete, but denied that Samsung sought favours from Choi or Park&#39;s administration.

The National Pension Service, which was raided Wednesday, supported the merger between the two Samsung affiliates even though the fund&#39;s stake in one of the companies lost an estimated hundreds of millions of dollars in value.

Samsung is also one of the country&#39;s major companies that gave a combined 77.4 billion won ($65 million) to two non-profit foundations Choi allegedly controlled and abused to expand her personal wealth.

(AP)

They are calling for the permanent removal of Park and extending the historically biggest protest movement in the country to Xmas Eve

Large crowds of South Koreans were expected to march in the streets today, calling for the permanent removal of impeached President Park Geun-hye and extending the historically biggest protest movement in the country to Christmas Eve. The protest comes as a special prosecutor widens an investigation into a corruption scandal surrounding Park, which saw millions of people take to the streets before the country's opposition-controlled parliament on Dec 9 voted to impeach her. Organisers expected Saturday's rally in Seoul to be festive, but there was tension as Park's conservative supporters planned to gather in nearby streets. The Constitutional Court has up to six months to decide whether Park should permanently step down or be reinstated. Her presidential powers are suspended until then, with the prime minister serving as the government caretaker. State prosecutors have accused Park of colluding with a longtime friend to extort money and favours from the country's largest companies and allow her confidante to manipulate government affairs from the shadows. They have now handed over their investigation to special prosecutor Park Young-soo, whose team on Saturday was planning to summon the president's arrested friend, Choi Soon-sil. Investigators earlier on Saturday summoned the country's former vice sports minister Kim Chong, who among other allegations is suspected of helping Choi wrest money and favours from Samsung, the country's largest business group. Samsung is under suspicion that it sponsored Choi to win government backing for a controversial merger deal between two affiliates last year that helped promote a father-to-son transfer of leadership and corporate wealth at the group. Samsung scion Lee Jae-yong, son of ailing group chairman Lee Kun-hee, has apologised over the use of corporate funds to buy a horse for Choi's daughter, Yoora Chung, an equestrian athlete, but denied that Samsung sought favours from Choi or Park's administration. The National Pension Service, which was raided Wednesday, supported the merger between the two Samsung affiliates even though the fund's stake in one of the companies lost an estimated hundreds of millions of dollars in value. Samsung is also one of the country's major companies that gave a combined 77.4 billion won ($65 million) to two non-profit foundations Choi allegedly controlled and abused to expand her personal wealth. (AP)

South Korea: Anti-Park protesters to march on Christmas Eve

Thousands of protesters braved sleet and freezing temperatures in Seoul on Saturday to demand President Park Geun-Hye resign over a corruption scandal or face impeachment. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Police said 25,000 officers had been deployed across the South Korean capital and roads leading to the presidential Blue House had been blocked as organisers estimated up to 1.5 million people could attend the rally. &nbsp;

Another half a million people are expected to demonstrate in provincial cities.&nbsp;

&quot;I don&#39;t think Park would step down voluntarily, but we need to raise our voice as much as possible to encourage parliament to push through with its move to impeach her,&quot; Lee Seung-Cheol, a 23-year-old student, told AFP.

There was a festive mood among protesters, who were wearing raincoats and clutching umbrellas to protect themselves against the cold and wet weather.&nbsp;

Food, placards and leaflets were being handed out, street vendors were selling candles and chairs, and some protestors were dancing to music being blared from loudspeakers. &nbsp;

&quot;I came here because I wanted to show my children that people are the owner of this country, not the power holders,&quot; Shim Kyu-Il, a 47-year-old company employee, said.

The weekend rallies have been growing in size over the past month, attracting an estimated one million people two weeks ago, and are among the largest seen in South Korea since the pro-democracy protests of the 1980s.&nbsp;

So far they have been largely peaceful, with families, high school students, workers and farmers participating, chanting slogans and carrying candles.

Park has apologised over the influence-peddling scandal involving her long-time confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who has been arrested for fraud and abuse of power, but has defied calls to step down.

Choi is also accused of interfering in government affairs, despite holding no official position.

Park has seen her approval ratings plunge to a record low for a sitting president as top advisers and some of the most powerful companies in the country are caught up in the snowballing scandal. &nbsp;

Choi, 60, allegedly leveraged her relationship with Park to coerce donations from large conglomerates, including SK, Lotte and Samsung, to non-profit foundations which she set up and used for personal gain.

A parliamentary vote to impeach Park could take place as early as next week as a growing number of ruling party politicians back the opposition-led campaign to oust the president.&nbsp;

(AFP)

Protesters demonstrated in the capital urging the Parliament to push through with its move to impeach her over a corruption scandal

Thousands of protesters braved sleet and freezing temperatures in Seoul on Saturday to demand President Park Geun-Hye resign over a corruption scandal or face impeachment. Police said 25,000 officers had been deployed across the South Korean capital and roads leading to the presidential Blue House had been blocked as organisers estimated up to 1.5 million people could attend the rally. Another half a million people are expected to demonstrate in provincial cities. "I don't think Park would step down voluntarily, but we need to raise our voice as much as possible to encourage parliament to push through with its move to impeach her," Lee Seung-Cheol, a 23-year-old student, told AFP. There was a festive mood among protesters, who were wearing raincoats and clutching umbrellas to protect themselves against the cold and wet weather. Food, placards and leaflets were being handed out, street vendors were selling candles and chairs, and some protestors were dancing to music being blared from loudspeakers. "I came here because I wanted to show my children that people are the owner of this country, not the power holders," Shim Kyu-Il, a 47-year-old company employee, said. The weekend rallies have been growing in size over the past month, attracting an estimated one million people two weeks ago, and are among the largest seen in South Korea since the pro-democracy protests of the 1980s. So far they have been largely peaceful, with families, high school students, workers and farmers participating, chanting slogans and carrying candles. Park has apologised over the influence-peddling scandal involving her long-time confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who has been arrested for fraud and abuse of power, but has defied calls to step down. Choi is also accused of interfering in government affairs, despite holding no official position. Park has seen her approval ratings plunge to a record low for a sitting president as top advisers and some of the most powerful companies in the country are caught up in the snowballing scandal. Choi, 60, allegedly leveraged her relationship with Park to coerce donations from large conglomerates, including SK, Lotte and Samsung, to non-profit foundations which she set up and used for personal gain. A parliamentary vote to impeach Park could take place as early as next week as a growing number of ruling party politicians back the opposition-led campaign to oust the president. (AFP)

Thousands rally in South Korea to demand President Geun-Hye's ouster