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By Chung Ah-young
A student at Chosun University's School of Medicine in Gwangju faces expulsion for restraining and beating his girlfriend.
The university belatedly decided to punish him only after public criticism mounted over its mishandling of the case and a lenient court ruling on the student.
The public outcry erupted after the Gwangju District Court last month sentenced the 34-year-old student, surnamed Park, to a 12 million won fine for beating his girlfriend, Lee, who is also his classmate.
On March 28, Park came to her home at 3 a.m. where he allegedly slapped her in the face and pulled her hair as he was angered because she "insincerely" answered the phone.
He was also accused of kicking and choking her, leaving her with rib fractures while confining her for two to three hours in her room.
Prosecutors sought to have Park sentenced to two years in prison, saying his violence was serious.
But the court fined him instead, saying that it took into consideration that Park might be expelled from the medical school if he was punished with a heavier sentence like a suspended jail term.
The court's ruling enraged the public. Many Internet users put up postings, saying that the punishment was too light especially considering he was a would-be doctor.
"It is more serious that such a criminal would become a doctor," a Chosun University student said on the university's online message board.
The university drew fire for mishandling the case after the incident.
Lee requested the school transfer her from classes which he also took, but the school rejected it, saying that it was a personal matter between the two and they would wait until a final ruling would come. Prosecutors appealed to the high court last month, calling for a heavier punishment.
Civic groups and women's rights activists also strongly criticized both the court and the university, saying that they have treated this case as a private affair between the couple, not a violent crime.
Following the criticism, the university belatedly decided to expel Park.
The university convened a student disciplinary committee consisting of 11 professors and two students Monday. The committee agreed to punish him, citing the school rule that a student using violence against another student can be expelled. A faculty meeting to confirm the decision is expected soon.
The university also announced on its social network platform Wednesday its decision to expel the student after due process. "We apologize for causing concern with this incident," it said.
The Ministry of Education ordered the university to report its handling of the case.
"Disciplinary action of students depends on each school's rules," a ministry official said. "As the university decided to punish him, the ministry will not take additional measures, but we'll look into whether they properly applied their rules."
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