Busan’s Dong-a University became the center of controversy Monday, after a photo of mass hazing was leaked online by the family member of an admitted freshman.

In the shot that immediately went viral, a group of students were shown lined up with hands politely clasped in front while an older-looking student poured makgeolli, milky fermented alcohol, over their bowed heads.

Pieces of unidentifiable filth were blended in with the drink.

“I find it difficult to accept this should be called a ‘tradition’ as is done in my brother’s department,” the original whistle-blower who claimed to be a freshman’s brother captioned the photo.

Additional photos were released following the first leak, in which students were shown standing in plastic buckets bound with tape while being splashed with the same tangy beverage.

According to a Dong-a University spokesperson, the controversial event was administered by a soccer club within the Chemical Engineering department earlier in the month in an imitation of Korean folk ritual to ward off evil spirits and bad luck.

“During the makgeolli ‘baptism,’ freshmen were taped up immobile. The liquid had cigarette butts, used tissues and phlegm mixed within,” a person who claimed knowledge of the incident said in a social media thread that exploded with criticism from enraged students.

The soccer club’s student representative followed up with an official apology to the families of the freshmen, adding, “The event was not designed to intentionally haze the newcomers.” 

He said that senior club members were also sprayed with the drink the week before the freshmen event, and that those who were “not feeling well” were exempted from participating.

Dong-a University identified the case to be not only limited to the soccer club. Additionally reported photos revealed similar ceremonies as having taken place in lecture rooms other than that used by the sports club.

The university will run an in-depth investigation targeting the entire Chemical Engineering department to find and punish those responsible.

South Korean universities have become notorious for their oppressive and coercive drinking culture. Although school administrations have stepped up efforts to uphold integrity, similar cases of hazing and abuse continue to surface each year.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)