Candidate Kim Seonghwan: "School Opening Delay... Should Be a Stepping Stone for Introducing Fall Semester System"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Seonghwan, a preliminary candidate for the National Assembly election in Dong and Nam Districts of Gwangju Metropolitan City, stated on the 17th, "The delay in the curriculum due to the postponement of school openings caused by COVID-19 should be turned into an opportunity to introduce the fall semester system."

Candidate Kim said, "The fall semester system is a system where a new academic year and semester start in September, from elementary, middle, and high schools to universities," adding, "Currently, most countries in the US and Europe, as well as China, have adopted the fall semester system, and among OECD countries, only Korea, Japan, and Australia still follow the spring semester."

He continued, "Due to the difference in semester systems, when Korean students study abroad or foreign students come to study in Korea, there is a gap of about six months, which hinders the internationalization of education," he pointed out.

He further explained, "In Korea, almost every past government, including the Kim Young-sam and Roh Moo-hyun administrations, has practically considered adopting it, but due to the confusion and burden of artificially delaying one semester, the introduction has not been pursued."

He added, "Adopting the fall semester system would have the effect of attracting and exchanging excellent foreign professors, researchers, and international students," and "especially considering recent global warming causing warmer and shorter winters and hot, long summers, it would also increase the efficiency of academic operations."