By Jung Min-ho
Demands for the president of Ewha Womans University to resign are increasing over a favoritism scandal involving the daughter of President Park Geun-hye’s confidante, Choi Soon-sil.
Following the allegations of special favors given to Choi’s daughter, Chung Yoo-ra, in the admissions process and her grades, professors at the university formed a special committee to discuss the scandal and plan to hold a protest to call for Ewha President Choi Kyung-hee’s resignation on Wednesday.
About 100 professors are expected to gather for the rally, according to the committee.
“The university administration has failed miserably to provide plausible explanations for a series of allegations brought up by the media,” the committee said in a statement. “President Choi, who was never a good communicator, is at the center of all the problems. We don’t understand her. She has done nothing but keep her position despite the allegations.”
The committee has encouraged more professors to participate in the protest, saying their proactive effort is the only force that can ensure the school’s democratic operation.
Protesters argue that Chung was ineligible for admission in the first place, given that the requirements for applicants in 2014 were to have won at least a bronze medal in an individual event at a major competition. But the gold medal she won at the Asian Games on Sept. 20, 2014, came from a team event and came after the school’s deadline for application (Sept. 15).
Rep. Kim Byung-wook from the Minjoo Party of Korea also accused Chung of being excused for failing to attend classes without following the necessary procedures and of receiving good grades regardless of her academic performance.
After the allegations came to the fore last month, Chung took a leave of absence from the university.
Choi, who is a daughter of President Park’s late mentor Choi Tae-min, is known to be one of the closest aides to the President. She is the ex-wife of Park’s former aide Chung Yoon-hoi.