The student council president of the Korea Foreign Language University Affiliated High School in Yongin, Gyeonggi, was reported to have been admitted to Harvard University in the United States. The student led a public statement condemning former President Yoon Suk-yeol during the Dec. 3 martial law.
According to Yonhap News on the 20th, Hwang Jun-ho of the Korea Foreign Language University Affiliated High School received an acceptance notice from Harvard in the early decision round for the 2026 academic year. Asked for his thoughts on the admission, he said, "Based on what I learn at Harvard, I want to help solve Korea's multicultural and low birthrate issues and, further, contribute to the advancement of humanity."
The school said Hwang was the only case of admission to Harvard in this year's early decision round. Vice Principal Park In-ho said, "It is drawing more attention because it came amid tougher anti-immigration policies with the launch of the Trump administration and a more competitive admissions environment."
Hwang led a public statement by 577 current students at the school on Dec. 12 last year. In the statement, they wrote, "President Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law was an act that suppressed the autonomy and rights of all people in the Republic of Korea, including students of this school," and "We cannot stand by; we must speak out confidently against what is wrong."
Hwang said, "It may seem like only adults participate in politics, but history shows many cases where student seniors stepped up to defend democracy," adding, "Seeing that example and effort, we also took action with a public statement."