The National Human Rights Commission noted on the 12th that it did not accept a recommendation to correct the regulation that allows only Protestant or Catholic Christians to apply for jobs at Soongsil University.
The complainant, Mr. A, attempted to apply for a job when he saw the recruitment notice for new employees at Soongsil University last year, but he filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, stating that he could not apply as a non-Christian. Soongsil University limited the eligibility for applications in its recruitment announcement to 'Christian applicants that align with the university's founding ideology' and requested proof documents such as a Christian certificate or baptism certificate.
The predecessor of Soongsil University, Soongsil Academy, was established by William Martin Baird (Korean name: Bae Wi-ryang), an American Presbyterian missionary, with the aim of creating 'an ideal educational institution for Christians' in Pyongyang. The articles of incorporation stipulate the training of competent leaders who can serve the nation, society, and the church based on Christian faith and the educational ideology of the Republic of Korea. There are no religious restrictions in student recruitment.
Soongsil University stated regarding the complaint filed by Mr. A, that 'the hiring of employees in private universities should be based on the principle of freedom of contract between the employer (the educational corporation) and the employee (the staff).' It added, 'The constitutional right to equality is relative, and discrimination can exist if there is a rational reason,' asserting that 'forcing mechanical equality while ignoring the specific purpose of an organization contradicts the concept of equality rights.'
The Human Rights Commission stated that 'Soongsil University, which receives a significant amount of national budget subsidies each year, is violating the Constitution and the Employment Stability Act, as well as the National Human Rights Commission Act, by excluding non-Christians from hiring administrative staff.' According to the Human Rights Commission, Soongsil University received 54.7 billion won in government subsidies in 2016, but as of 2023, the amount provided by the foundation to the university (transfer) is 900 million won.
Additionally, Ewha Womans University, established on Christian principles, does not limit staff eligibility to Christians. Three other private universities have also accepted the Human Rights Commission's recommendation for corrective action and stopped the practice of limiting staff eligibility to Christians.
Citing these points, the Human Rights Commission recommended to the president of Soongsil University on Nov. 4 of last year to amend the regulation limiting staff hiring to Christians. However, Soongsil University stated that 'the independent decision-making authority of the school corporation regarding employment should be recognized' and said it would not accept the recommendation. Soongsil University also did not accept a similar recommendation from the Human Rights Commission in 2018.