Offering “post-sunset interviews” to accommodate Seventh-day Adventists is gradually gaining traction in university admissions. This shift follows an April ruling by the Supreme Court of Korea, which allowed Seventh-day Adventist applicants to request accommodations for Saturday interviews and exams, citing their religious observance of the Sabbath. The recent graduate school admission cycle marked the first instance since this landmark ruling, with several cases of post-sunset interviews being reported.
According to Choi YoonHo, Director of the Religious Liberty Department of the Korean Union Conference (KUC), “Several students who recently attended graduate school interviews shared positive news. Most universities seem to permit post-sunset interviews, empowered by the Supreme Court’s decision.”
The Religious Liberty Department highlighted several cases:
- Case A: An applicant to W University’s Law School faced a scheduling conflict when interviews were set for the Sabbath following the first-round acceptance notice on Monday. The applicant immediately sought assistance from the Religious Liberty Department, which contacted Attorney Shin Myung-Chul, renowned for his previous success in a similar case involving Deacon Im. Attorney Shin quickly reached out to the university, and within hours, the institution rescheduled the applicant’s interview to the last time slot of the day, ensuring it occurred after sunset. The university also assured that no disadvantages would arise from the accommodation.
- Case B: Another applicant to S University’s graduate program encountered a similar issue with a Saturday interview. After requesting a post-sunset interview for religious reasons, the university accepted the request and adjusted the schedule accordingly.
- Case C: In preparation for potential conflicts, an applicant to K University’s Graduate School of Chemistry Education sought help over a month in advance. Upon reviewing the admissions guidelines, the applicant contacted the Religious Liberty Department and Attorney Shin. The attorney issued an official letter to the university, referencing the Supreme Court precedent. Subsequently, the department where the applicant applied scheduled all interviews for 5:30 PM, accommodating Sabbath observance.
With approximately 70% of undergraduate interviews and nearly all graduate school interviews traditionally held on Saturdays, the Supreme Court ruling has undoubtedly influenced universities’ willingness to accommodate post-sunset interview requests.
Pastor Choi encouraged Adventist youth, saying, “I hope more of our young people have the courage and faith to honor the Sabbath while pursuing their educational goals. Those needing assistance should not hesitate to reach out to us.”
Related News: https://www.nsdadventist.org/south-koreas-supreme-court-upholds-religious-freedom-in-landmark-law-school-admission-case/