One year later: Mauna Resort collapse

/ Yonhap

By Lee Ji-hye

Almost a year has passed since a roof collapsed at a South Korean resort, leaving nine people dead and 139 injured ㅡ but students across the country are criticizing the government policies to prevent such tragedies.

The education ministry has advised universities to refrain from holding newcomers’ celebrations, especially off-campus activities, and has released guidelines for student bodies to follow.

According to the association of schools for Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Sungshin Women’s University, and Kyonggi University, students feel that their rights are being infringed upon.

“The government is lacking responsibility by suppressing student, activities, when the government is to blame for the lack of management by local councils,” they said in a statement.

“The activities outside of school are crucial for our social culture, and we will do this independently if we have to.”

Not all student bodies agree with this.

“We know the reason behind these policies is because of the Mauna Resort collapse on Feb. 17 last year near Gyeongju,” said Busan University of Foreign Studies student council president Ban Seon-gan.

“We, as the student body, feel a social responsibility for the tragedy, and that it is our duty to follow the given guidelines from the ministry.”

He said most events would be held on campus, including social gatherings for older students and newcomers.

“We’all be eating at our school cafeterias and introducing each other in classrooms ㅡ we’all definitely try our best to make sure the rules are followed,” Ban said.