Student Council Federation Shrinking

The membership rate in the Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) is relatively low. Out of 62 university student unions, only 39 percent are members of the Hanchongryon. If five universities leave the Hanchongryon, the membership rate is expected to drop to 31percent.

There are some student unions who have said that the student presidents are delegates only according to the regulation of Hanchongryon, but they do not participate in its activities. Therefore even student presidents who do not participate in student demonstrations automatically become a delegate, and they must hold a student council meeting to withdraw membership from Hanchongryon.

39 percent of university student councils are members of Hanchongryon-

Hanchongryon states they have about 180 university student council members, but the Office of Public Security states that only 40 are actively participating in the activities of Hanchongryon. According to a survey on ideology preferences of 36 university student councils in Seoul, 19 university student councils did not participate in student demonstrations; seven advocate national liberation, and six advocate public democracy. There were councils that did not have a dominating ideology.

Opposition to Pyeongtaek movement and violence-

Of 36 student councils in Seoul, 28 of them agreed to answer a survey on the movement against the U.S. base extension in Pyeongtaek.

Of the respondents, 14 clearly stated their objection to Hanchongryon participating in the issue and using violent demonstration methods.

Yun Seong-ho (26), the student council president at University of Seoul, said, “I understand the reason for the demonstration at Daechu-ri, but I feel that Hanchongryon is acting like a kind of a political power. I have heard that many freshmen who thought they were going to volunteer at farms were captured.”

However, 61 percent (17 student councils) responded that the student councils should take an active interest in social issues, such as the Pyeongtaek issue.

Shin Jae-woong (23), student council president at Hanyang University stated, “Our student council do not participate in student demonstrations but I support it. I think it is good to show our position on social issues.”

Hanchongryon needs to change–

Out of the 36 universities in the Seoul area, 60 percent (21) called for changes in Hanchongryon.

These student councils stated that Hanchongryon needs to concentrate on school welfare and the improvement of education. Student councils stated that the duty of student councils is to enhance transparency of school management and school policies, and supervise and improve whether school policies are helping the students.

Kim Ju-sik (21) of Chung-Ang University said, “University students are justified in discussing social problems, but student councils should first and foremost reduce students’ dissatisfaction by responding to in-school and out-of-school problems.”

Sociology professor Lee Jae-yeol at Seoul National University said, “Hanchongryon’s pursuit of radical ideologies and demonstration methods during this era is the cause behind this crisis. It is natural that Hanchongryon members are reverting its attention to student welfare, their original interest.