Students of Dongduk Women's University hold a general assembly at its campus in Seoul, Wednesday. An overwhelming majority of 1,971 out of 1,973 of the students who attended the meeting voted against its transition to co-ed. Yonhap

Dongduk Women's University agreed to temporarily suspend its plan to convert into a coeducational institution after 10 days of student protests, according to the student council, Friday. However, the students will continue to occupy the main building until the co-ed conversion proposal is completely withdrawn.

"We (students) will continue to occupy the main building until the university administration actually collects student opinions on its proposed plan, and until we can fully understand it, and until the withdrawal of the transition to co-education," the student group said in a statement.

The university promised the student group that it would collect student opinions through a democratic process, the student council said.

According to the student group, the university has consistently refused to communicate with students about major issues over the past years.

On Wednesday, the student council held a general meeting with students and voted on the issue of the university possibly beginning to accept male students.

For the general meeting to take place, 10 percent of the university's enrolled students, some 6,500, must participate, and 1,973 participated in the meeting.

As a result, an overwhelming majority of 1,971 out of 1,973 voted against the transition.

Then on Thursday, the student council held a three-hour meeting with the school, during which the two parties agreed to temporarily suspend discussions on the transition to co-ed. The student council decided to end the occupation of the classroom and boycotts on classes.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how the university will handle the aftermath.

During the protest, students wrote phrases such as "opposition to co-ed" spray painted over exterior walls, floors and roads of the campus and its buildings.

Dongduk Women's University campus is covered with spray paint, Thursday, following the student protests against the possible transition to co-ed. Yonhap

While the university assumes the student council led such actions, the student representatives argue they have not led such actions, and that students, infuriated by the possible transition, sporadically and voluntarily created the graffiti on an individual basis.

The school estimates that the restoration of damage from the protest will cost 2.4 billion won ($1.7 million) to 5.4 billion won.

The protest method of using spray painted graffiti at school campuses has spread to recent student protests at other universities, including Seoul Women's University.

According to the stenographic records of the meetings held between the university and student council, revealed by the student group on Thursday, the school has asked the student group to reimburse 300 million won.

A Dongduk Women's University official stands in front of a school building occupied by students protesting the possible transition to co-ed, Thursday. Yonhap

The claim for damages came after a job fair, which had been scheduled to be held at the Centennial Memorial Hall, was canceled due to the students' occupation.

At that time, students occupied most of the buildings, including the main building, and refused to attend classes altogether. A wreath of white flowers was placed in front of the Centennial Memorial Hall, and notes and posters hung all over the campus in protest against the possible transition to co-ed.

Meanwhile, the student council expressed its intention to continue the voluntary boycott of classes.

The university and the student group will hold further discussions next Monday.