SNU faces human rights complaint over academic elitism in parent merchandise

A civic group has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea against Seoul National University (SNU), accusing the institution of reinforcing an academic hierarchy through its merchandise.

Car stickers that the Seoul National University Foundation is giving out to parents who sign up for their newsletter. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

A civic group has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea against Seoul National University (SNU), accusing the institution of reinforcing an academic hierarchy through its merchandise.

The civic group Anti-Hakbul, which uses the term hakbul to refer to academic elitism, said Monday that it has filed a complaint against Seoul National University for promoting elitist behavior and reinforcing a hierarchy among universities.

The complaint comes after the Seoul National University Foundation distributed car stickers with phrases like "proud family," "I'm mom" and "I'm dad," all featuring the university's logo, to the parents of its students. These stickers are free and are given to parents who sign up for the foundation's newsletter.

"We express regret toward Seoul National University for causing controversy through their inconsiderate actions, and we have filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea," read a statement issued by Anti-Hakbul on Monday.

"The merchandise has been criticized for using Seoul National University's logo, which is widely considered a symbol of success in university admissions, to encourage parents to flaunt their children's academic achievements as their own."

According to the civic group, it is common for university student councils to create merchandise for students featuring their university's logo. However, it is unusual for universities to officially create merchandise for parents using the school's logo.

The group hopes the Human Rights Commission will accept its complaint, noting that the commission has previously taken strict measures against practices that promote academic elitism.

In 2012, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea recommended that high schools refrain from hanging placards that only celebrate students who were accepted into prestigious universities.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]