Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
SNU students to hold 2nd rally to urge Cho to step down
Seoul National University students hold a rally on the campus, Friday, to urge justice minister nominee Cho Kuk to step down from the nominee post due to multiple allegations surrounding his family. Yonhap
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
College students' anger at alleged preferential treatment of justice minister nominee Cho Kuk's daughter is growing, with students at involved schools planning second protests following those on Friday. Such movements could spread to other universities nationwide as the fall semester is set to begin in September.
Students of Seoul National University (SNU), Cho's alma mater and where he taught, are scheduled to hold their second candlelight rally, Wednesday, to urge him to step down from the nominee position.
Unlike the first rally on Friday when about 500 students and alumni took part, this time the rally is hosted by the SNU student council. The council plans to limit the participants to current students and alumni, to prevent members of political parties from making use of the protest for political purposes, by checking students' ID cards and graduation certificates.
Ahead of the rally, the SNU student body released a statement, Monday, emphasizing a series of alleged preferential treatment benefitting Cho's daughter ― being listed as the lead author of a pathology paper, which was published in the SCIE, after only a two-week internship when she was a high school student; being admitted to Korea University with such an “achievement,” receiving a scholarship during her short time at SNU's graduate school, and getting scholarships from Pusan National University's (PNU) medical school for six straight semesters despite failing grades.
Calling Cho “shameless,” the council said Cho ignores people who feel betrayed at his inconsistency. Cho called for justice and fairness, but is refusing to give clear explanations of his own actions. “We strongly urge him to quit the nominee position for a country where principles and common sense are maintained, where justice is upheld.”
It said the previous candlelit protest showed public opinion against Cho's appointment as the justice minister.
“The request for Cho to step down is not because SNU students are leaning right. It is normal for students, who dedicated themselves to conducting experiments and studies day and night for a paper, to feel angry, and to feel despondent at Cho's daughter receiving tens of millions of won in scholarships even though she flunked twice,” it said.
The SNU student body says they will cancel the rally if Cho steps down.
According to a survey conducted on SNU students' online community SNULife, as of Monday 95 percent of some 1,800 students said Cho is “not fit for the justice minister position at all,” and 2 percent deemed him “not fully fit,” while only 1 percent stated that he was a “very suitable” candidate.
Some students at PNU, where Cho's daughter is attending, will also hold their own rally at 6 p.m. on Wednesday on the school campus.
They started fundraising for the protest and posted an announcement to recruit speakers and participants.
Cho apologized to the public Sunday, partially admitting that his daughter's admission could be perceived as preferential treatment, but he claimed no laws were broken at the time. Despite strong opposition from right wing politicians and the public, Cho made it clear he will not step down from the nomination and vowed to clarify all allegations at the confirmation hearings, which will be held on Sept. 2 and 3.