South Korea’s universities have rejected 45 students with outstanding grades due to their past records of bullying

For the first time, South Korea’s top universities have denied admission to dozens of high-achieving students because of their past involvement in bullying.

In the 2025 admissions cycle, six of the nation’s leading universities, including Seoul National University and Kyungpook National University, rejected 45 applicants after reviewing their disciplinary records. The move reflects a growing effort to promote accountability and integrity in education.

Starting in 2026, all universities in South Korea will be required to consider school violence records during admissions. The policy has sparked debate nationwide, with supporters praising it as a stand for ethics and critics warning that it could unfairly define students by their past actions.