On November 11th, Dongduk Women’s University in Seoul became the center of a fierce debate over gender equality and the future of single-sex education in South Korea. A proposal by the university to admit male students into certain departments, particularly in design and performing arts, has sparked intense protests from students. This seemingly administrative move has triggered a national conversation about gender roles, societal expectations, and the role of women’s universities in a rapidly changing society.
Founded in the early 20th century, Dongduk Women’s University has long been a sanctuary for women, offering a space for education free from the patriarchal pressures and gender-based discrimination that often characterize South Korean society. The university’s mission has historically been to empower women in an environment where they can thrive away from the male gaze. However, the recent proposal to open some departments to male students has been met with strong opposition from students, who feel their voices were not considered in the decision-making process.
A student council representative expressed frustration, saying, “The university’s unilateral decision, made without any input from the students who actually study and live here, left us with no choice but to raise our voices.” Protests have escalated, with students spray-painting slogans like “We’d rather perish than open our doors” on university buildings, staging sit-ins, and even laying out hundreds of jackets and diplomas in a symbolic demonstration. The unrest forced the university to move classes online and cancel a planned job fair.
At the heart of the protests is the students’ fear of losing their safe space. Co-chair of the protest committee, Lee Song-yi, explained: “Although the university isn’t a perfect haven, we have felt free inside the campus. Getting rid of a safe space where women can freely express their opinions goes against the founding purposes of the university.” This fear is compounded by broader societal issues, including stalking, illegal filming, and gender-based violence—all of which remain pervasive in South Korea, a country ranked 94th out of 146 in the Global Gender Gap Index.
The university’s declining enrollment, a result of South Korea’s low birth rate and a drop in higher education enrollment, adds further complexity to the situation. Administrators argue that admitting male students is necessary for the financial survival and competitiveness of the institution. However, students view this proposal as a direct threat to the women-only environment they believe is essential for their safety and empowerment.
The protests have also become a political flashpoint, with conservative politicians condemning the student protests as “uncivilized” and demanding accountability for property damage, which is estimated between 2.4 billion to 5.4 billion won (about $1.7–$3.9 million). On the other hand, opposition politicians accuse conservatives of using the protests to divert attention from unrelated scandals. The controversy has further fueled an anti-feminist backlash online, with threats of doxxing against student protesters.
Amid mounting pressure, the university temporarily suspended discussions about co-education. However, a general student meeting, with an overwhelming majority (1,971 out of 1,973 attendees), voted to reject the proposal, demonstrating the strong opposition from the student body. Student council president Choi Hyun-ah encapsulated the students’ position: “The existence of women’s universities is about advancing women’s educational rights; transitioning to co-education would mean there’s no reason for us to exist at all.”
The protests at Dongduk Women’s University have ignited similar movements at other women’s universities across South Korea, shedding light on the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the future of single-sex education in the country.
