Egg Attacks and Insults: Chairman Outraged Over Turmoil at South Korean President’s Alma Mater

On December 5, the headmaster of a prestigious school in Seoul posted an angry message on social media.

The shameful graduate in question is South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. The chairman of Yoon’s alma mater, the private Chungam High School, expressed fierce anger. What led to this situation?

“Chungam High School is receiving a flood of complaints as the school that produced President Yoon, who declared a state of emergency, plunging South Korea into turmoil. On some days, critical phone calls exceed 100, disrupting daily operations, prompting the chairman to finally lose patience.

It’s not just President Yoon who is facing criticism. Among Chungam’s alumni are Defense Minister Kim Ryong-kyun, who enjoys deep trust from Yoon, described as his ‘bodyguard,’ and Lee Sang-min, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, who is a junior by four years and was involved in discussions about the state of emergency just before its announcement,” explained a South Korean journalist.

 

Exemption from Wearing Uniforms

 

The main opposition party in South Korea, the Democratic Party of Korea, has accused the three individuals, including President Yoon, of orchestrating the crisis and has filed charges such as rebellion. Public criticism of Yoon continues to intensify, leading to collateral damage for his alma mater, Chungam High School.

“According to a student at Chungam High, as reported by South Korean media outlet Joongang Daily, ‘We were attacked by eggs while walking down the street. We’ve also been insulted while in uniform during meals outside.’ Many students are now avoiding school due to safety concerns.

In response to the harassment, Chungam High has implemented a measure to exempt students from wearing uniforms until the end-of-year ceremony on February 6, 2025, allowing them to dress freely. They are also urging students to report severe cases of harassment to the police,” explained a journalist based in Seoul.

Chungam High is well-known in South Korea for its rigorous academic programs, but the long-term impact of this scandal is a growing concern.

“Chungam High has partnered with a Go school and produced many top-tier players in the sport. The school also has a strong presence in sports, with many professional athletes, including South Korean baseball players, among its alumni. However, this recent controversy is likely to deter prospective students, with some even considering transferring to other schools to avoid the negative atmosphere,” the journalist added.

The turmoil sparked by President Yoon’s state of emergency has cast a shadow over South Korea’s educational system.