Five Sookmyung University students indicted over spray-paint protest against male admissions

Five students from Sookmyung Women's University have been indicted for spray-painting university property in protest against the admission of male students to the International Studies department. The university had filed a complaint against 13 students for property damage and other charges.

According to legal sources, the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office indicted five students on charges of joint property damage on May 19. The students are accused of spray-painting various locations on the university's Donam campus in November 2024, in response to the university's decision to allow male applicants into the International Studies program.

An additional five students who participated in the protest received suspended indictments. This decision was made after considering their remorse and the university's submission of a letter of forgiveness. The police had previously forwarded 10 students for prosecution on charges including joint property damage and trespassing, while three others were not sent for prosecution due to insufficient evidence.

The protests began after the university decided to admit male students to the International Studies department in November. The university initially filed a lawsuit against 13 students for property damage and other offenses.