President Kim Myeong-ae of Dongduk Women's University said on the 3rd that starting in 2029 the school will convert to a coeducational university. The announcement came a day after the school's Coeducation Conversion Public Discussion Committee recommended moving forward with the transition.
In a statement that day, President Kim said, "We respect and intend to accept the committee's recommendation," adding, "We plan to set the implementation date for 2029, when current students will graduate, to ensure the academic environment of a women's university that they expected at the time of admission as much as possible."
President Kim said, "Even though there were more opinions in favor of converting to coeducation during the public discussion process, we are taking seriously the fact that current students' opposition and concerns still remain," but added, "Now is the time to carry forward the founding spirit in a progressive way and prepare for a new 100 years that fits the changes of the times."
She added, "We face the task of wisely bringing the past conflict to a close, improving the negative external image, and healing the wounds of both current students and all members."
Based on the committee's recommendation, the university plans to finalize its policy after going through briefings for members and deliberation and voting procedures at bodies such as the University Development Promotion Committee, the Academic Affairs Committee, and the University Council.
Dongduk Women's University also decided to set up a session to explain in detail to members the need for and procedures of the coeducation transition. Starting at 3 p.m. that day, it will also hold a presentation on the results of the "analysis of the coeducation transition and collection of opinions for the development of Dongduk Women's University in 2025," a research project carried out since June by the Korea Productivity Center.
At Dongduk Women's University, students opposing the shift to coeducation staged a sit-in last November and also held what was called a "locker protest." However, after the public discussion committee, which includes representatives of the school, professors, staff, and students, the school is proceeding with the coeducation transition process about a year later.
The fact that a considerable number of students still oppose the coeducation transition is expected to be a hurdle. The Central Operating Committee of the student council at Dongduk Women's University is holding a general vote from that day to gather opinions on the coeducation transition.