Now, with both campuses’ GSAs operating under ERCs, the question is not simply who will fill leadership roles this semester. It is whether students can trust the process again.

A Brief Moment of Momentum

2026 was supposed to be different. While the Global Campus was heading toward multiple ERCs due to lack of candidates—including for the GSA—Seoul Campus looked promising. Just a year earlier, their election had been canceled for the same reason, and they had barely avoided an ERC through a March by-election. So having two candidate teams run was a remarkable change.

That attention appeared to show up online, too. According to view counts on the University broadcast station V.O.U.’s YouTube livestreams, the previous year’s public hearing and vote count drew about 600 and 200 views. This year, numbers rose to about 2,000 and 4,000.

Then the momentum disappeared. Vote counting was delayed because of suspected proxy voting by a campaign staff member. Through investigation, it was confirmed that the fraud was real, and the election results were invalidated. In principle, there should have been a revote, but it was not a possible option because of practical constraints. Both campuses ended up with ERCs anyway, and it is still unclear whether a March by-election will fix things.

Chance to Rebuild Trust

This is South Korea—a country the world watches for its mature democratic culture. And this happened at a university that represents learning and intelligence. The scandal spread beyond KHU to various news outlets, which is deeply shameful.

This incident matters because student governance depends on trust. Once that is broken, it takes years to rebuild. Those responsible must recognize how a single act of fraud can damage confidence in the entire system.

However, it is also worth asking what systemic issues made this possible. Real oversight, clear consequences, and effective prevention measures need to be established. The Central Election Management Committee (CEMC) did not conduct a revote, citing lack of time and budget. Nor did it present concrete solutions. The new CEMC running the March by-election must study what went wrong and build a system that prevents fraudulent proxy voting.

What Students Can Do Next

The hardest truth is that indifference enables corruption. Fraud happened even with thousands of people watching online. Imagine what could happen when no one is paying attention. Student governance only works when everyone—not just a few candidates—remains engaged. Voting matters, but it is not enough. Students must also monitor the process and raise questions continuously.

This moment is disappointing, but it does not signal the end of student governance. It can become a turning point for KHU to build a more mature and democratic student community. The renewed energy students showed should not be allowed to fade away. The by-election is not just about filling vacancies; it is an opportunity to rebuild trust.