The principal of Yeomyung School, an alternative school for North Korean-background youth, knelt before local residents.
It was a plea to allow them to build a school where these students could study.
However, moments later, voices among the protesting residents erupted, shouting, "Let us kneel too."
A situation where both sides are brought to their knees over a single school—where did things go wrong?

The residents' backlash also has its reasons.
They complain, "Why is a temporary three-year arrangement becoming an official school?" and "Why did residents have to find out so late?"
The Office of Education also acknowledged that the initial briefing session process was inadequate.
On the other hand, Yeomyung School has been wandering without a permanent campus for over 20 years, and its previous attempt to relocate to Eunpyeong was also thwarted by resident opposition.

This time, the familiar refrain is being heard once again.
"We understand that a school is necessary, but why does it have to be right here?"

Nine years ago, parents of students with disabilities knelt down to beg for a special education school to be built.
This time, the principal of a school for North Korean-background youth knelt down.

If the procedures were flawed, they must be corrected.
Then again, if everyone says, "We agree it's necessary, but not in our neighborhood," where on earth should such schools be built?

Is this a legitimate resident protest, or recurring NIMBYism?
Or has the administration fueled the conflict itself?

(Produced by: Sim Yeong-gu | Edited by: Yoon Ye-ran | Design: Cho Seung-hyun | Assistance: Kim Chae-hyun | Production: Knowledge Contents IP Team)