Daejeon professor barred from teaching after misogynistic class remarks

A professor at a private university in Daejeon was stripped of teaching duties and ordered into mandatory anti-harassment training after students formally complained about repeated sexist remarks in class, including a claim that 8 in 10 Korean women had likely engaged in prostitution, the Hankook Ilbo reported.

The case has renewed calls for stronger faculty accountability at South Korean universities, where critics say institutions have historically been slow to discipline professors even after students file formal complaints.

A post criticizing Professor B's in-class comments appeared on the university's online community forum in November 2025. Students organized, surveyed classmates and submitted a formal complaint to the university in December 2025, according to the Hankook Ilbo.

Despite receiving the complaint, the university allowed Professor B to continue teaching throughout the review period, drawing criticism from students who had expected the allegations to prompt immediate action.

Among the comments attributed to Professor B was the assertion that "8 in 10 women in Korea have probably earned spending money through prostitution," the Hankook Ilbo reported. Students described the remarks as an infringement on their personal dignity and rights.

The university's governing foundation finalized disciplinary measures in May 2026. Professor B was barred from teaching classes, providing academic counseling and performing student guidance duties. The professor was also ordered to complete anti-recurrence training through the university's human rights center. The discipline did not include dismissal or termination.

"We plan to further strengthen integrated violence-prevention education programs for faculty and staff," a university official said, according to the Hankook Ilbo.

The case is among several recent incidents drawing attention to faculty misconduct on South Korean campuses, where student advocates have pushed institutions to establish clearer disciplinary procedures for classroom harassment. The Korea Times published the report Thursday, translated from the Hankook Ilbo.