Yonsei Dental School Sparks Controversy After Forcing Student to Write Reflection Letter for Wearing Shorts

A controversy has arisen at Yonsei University College of Dentistry after a reflection letter written by a student for violating the dress code was publicly posted in a lecture hall.

According to reports, the reflection letter written by a Yonsei dental student included statements such as, "I violated the dress code by coming to school wearing shorts with the complacent thought that the weather was hot," and "This was a disqualifying factor as a prospective medical professional and showed a complacent attitude."

The student also wrote, "I deeply reflect on violating the dress code due to my carelessness."

Currently, a notice titled "Student Attire Appropriate for Dental School Life" is posted on the undergraduate website of the Yonsei University College of Dentistry.

The notice encourages students to "dress like dental students," banning shorts, short skirts, and slippers, while providing dress guidelines such as requiring socks that reach above the ankles.

It also includes instructions such as, "Do not step on the backs of your shoes."

As the incident became known, criticisms poured in on the university's online community, with comments such as, "Even granting that slippers could pose safety issues, publicly displaying the reflection letter in the lecture hall is close to anachronistic collective bullying."

In response, the Yonsei University College of Dentistry explained that it was an educational measure intended to guide students in developing the attitude required of prospective medical professionals, adding that it could discuss potential improvements to the dress code for non-clinical settings with students moving forward.

(Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Seo Byeong-wook | Graphics by Sumin Lee | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.