In Korea, most university dormitories have curfew hours to protect students’ safety. While some students agree with this system, others don't.



Most university dormitories in Korea have curfew hours. Students are expected to be in their rooms for a curfew check-in. Currently, the checking time at Keimyung University Myunggyo Dormitory is 11:00 P.M. You are allowed to come back to the dormitory between 11:00 P.M. and 11:40 P.M. three times, but when the number exceeds three times, you get one penalty point. If you come back after 11:40 P.M., you get two penalty points. Those who have too many penalty points can’t apply for the dormitory again or can be kicked out from it. We need this system.


First, the curfew system decreases damage such as violating other students’ sleeping rights and accidents. If many students come back to the dormitory late at night and make noise, students who are trying to go to bed early or study for an exam can be disturbed. Furthermore, by closing the door at a fixed time, students can be protected from dangerous elements like drunken people.

Second, if the curfew system is abolished, students will shoulder a financial burden. If the school doesn’t have a curfew, students’ safety is not guaranteed. To compensate for this problem, more night guards and other safety systems will have to be added. As a result, the financial burden on students and parents for safety fees will greatly increase.

In conclusion, the curfew system takes care of students’ safety and decreases their financial burden. Students may feel controlled because they must follow the curfew. However, Keimyung is trying to help students protect themselves, so they should follow the dormitory curfew.

●Opinion from readers

Hwang In-gyeong (Department of International Commerce)
We need the curfew system because it prevents accidents. When students wander around late at night, the risk to their safety gets worse. Also, when they come back to the dormitory then, other students get disturbed. The curfew system is necessary, but I hope the curfew time is changed to 1 A.M.

Knonnapa Boonmalerd (Ph.D. candidate in Korean education, Thailand)
The curfew system in the dormitory makes me feel safe. It also helps me maintain a regular lifestyle. However, the curfew time should be changed to 12 A.M. because sometimes we have late classes or work, so we need time to return to the dormitory.




In Keimyung University, about 2400 Korean and overseas students live in the dormitory. One rule to be followed in the dormitory is the curfew. A student violating the curfew gets bad marks, and if students have many bad marks, they can’t live in the dormitory. Most universities in Korea have this rule. In my opinion, students do not need curfews.

First, students are being treated as if they can’t use their judgment. However, students are not elementary or secondary school students. They are adults who can vote. Though students are a little immature, they can make their own rules instead of observing a curfew. It can help them have responsibility and develop into more mature adults.

Second, at night, many students run to get to the dorm on time in order not to get bad marks. In university, students often have meetings at night or study in the library. Late students can’t get into the dormitory for safety reasons. According to the Korean Institute of Criminology, the rate of crimes such as sexual crimes and murder at night is more frequent than in the daytime. Therefore, students who cannot get into the dormitory are exposed to the risk of dangerous situations.

Recently, the number of universities with curfews is decreasing, such as Seoul National University, Kyunghee University, and Chungnam University. Since university students are not young children, they can do things for themselves. Therefore, I think that the curfew in the dormitory is not required.

●Opinion from Readers

Sin Dong-ye (Dept. of Computer Engineering)
If students miss the curfew, they have to wait for opening time. I think it is very dangerous because students are exposed to potentially dangerous situations. In my case, because I am a student association member, I have meetings with student association members until late at night. However, I can’t talk with them for long because of the curfew. Therefore, I agree that the rule has to be abolished.

Yvonnie Kim V. Petallo (KGSP student)
I think the curfew should be removed. Without the curfew, students can continue to study for long periods of time. Some students can’t study or have part-time jobs because of the curfew. It is really important for students to have more time.