Professor disciplined after saying '8 in 10 women' engaged in prostitution

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A professor at a private university in Daejeon has been disciplined and removed from all teaching duties after allegedly making sexually inappropriate remarks to students during class.

According to the university on Friday, the school's foundation recently finalized disciplinary measures against the professor, identified only by the surname B.

The university said B has been barred from teaching classes, providing academic counseling and performing other student guidance duties. The professor was also ordered to complete anti-recurrence training through the university's human rights center to help prevent further incidents.

The controversy began in November last year when a post criticizing the professor's classroom comments appeared on the university's online community forum. Students later conducted their own survey and submitted a formal complaint to the school in December.

According to students, the professor made comments including, "8 in 10 women in Korea have probably earned spending money through prostitution."

The professor was also accused of making remarks that could infringe on students' personal dignity and rights.

Students criticized the university for responding too slowly, saying the school continued to allow the professor to teach classes until recently, despite being aware of the allegations.

The university did not disclose the exact level of disciplinary action imposed on the professor. However, local reports said the punishment did not include dismissal or termination.

"We plan to further strengthen integrated violence-prevention education programs for faculty and staff," a university official said.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.