A female first-year student at a college in Sinuiju was beaten by a professor’s wife for having an inappropriate relationship with the professor and now faces expulsion.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Daily NK source in North Pyongan province said Aug. 6 that a female first-year student at Sinuiju Agricultural College — identified only as A — was beaten by her professor’s wife at her dormitory in early July.
The professor’s wife beat the girl’s face “beyond recognition,” accusing her of having an affair with her husband. She also demanded A’s expulsion from the university’s party committee.
However, the university hasn’t ruled on the expulsion a month after the incident.
Opinion at the university is split. Some argue it would be good to instill fear in students by making the girl an example of “non-socialist behavior.” Others worry if word spread, school officials could face criticism for poor management, harming the school’s image.
A has reportedly been staying home due to facial injuries.
Her classmates advised her to report the incident to the provincial party committee, saying “it was a crime to beat somebody that badly, regardless of the reason.” They argued the professor should be punished, citing North Korea’s criminal code. Article 320 calls for forced labor for men who coerce subordinate women into sexual relationships.
While A could report coercion and assault, she has avoided acting “for fear of what might happen given her relatively weaker position,” the source said.
Those familiar with A’s situation lament that “one cannot live in this world without power.”
“Looking at this incident, some people blame a handful of individuals with money and power for sowing social disorder and take pity on the girl,” the source said. “While they say the ‘law is far but the fists are near’ (meaning people use violence when legal solutions are difficult), the girl in question can’t even do that.”
Daily NK works with a network of sources living in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. Their identities remain anonymous for security reasons.
Please send any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.
