By Kim RahnA sophomore from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) committed suicide at his home in Incheon, Thursday ― the fourth suicide related to the school this year.
A yogurt delivery woman found the body of the student, 19-year-old Park, at the entrance of his apartment building at 1:20 p.m. and reported it to police.
Park obtained a leave of absence from the school Wednesday.
Police suspect Park killed himself by jumping from the apartment building, given that he submitted a diagnosis of depression to the school when applying for the leave. His sweater and wallet were found on the 21st floor of the building.
Park’s death came after three students also took their own lives earlier this year. KAIST students blamed the school’s scholarship and credit system which they claim drives them to severe competition.
School President Suh Nam-pyo said he would abolish the controversial scholarship system, which imposes tuition to students whose grades are poor, starting next semester. KAIST students are exempted from tuition in principle, but 12.9 percent of them paid tuition last year due to poor
performancesrahnita@koreatimes.co.kr
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