'Debate Over Government Support for University Tuition Refunds Continues
Political Circles Unite: "Government Must Provide Support Through Supplementary Budget"
Government: "Issue Between Universities and Students... No Urgent Need for University Financial Support"'
In April, students belonging to the National University Student Council Network held a press conference in front of the Government Seoul Office, declaring a disaster situation in university areas due to the novel coronavirus infection and urging measures such as tuition refunds. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Amid the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), most universities conducted first-semester classes online, and Konkuk University has decided to refund part of the tuition fees for the second semester by reducing a certain amount. This has intensified discussions on the issue. While some argue that the government should support tuition refunds, others point out that using taxes for this purpose is inappropriate.
The government stated that the issue of tuition refunds due to the COVID-19 situation should be resolved between universities and students, and that it is considering indirect support methods such as supporting universities that refund tuition fees.
Konkuk University agreed with the student council to reduce a certain amount of tuition fees for enrolled students in the first semester this year. This is the first case within a university to decide to refund tuition fees since the issue arose due to the impact of COVID-19.
As this fact became known, voices demanding tuition refunds have been growing stronger day by day, with even 'blood letters' appearing recently in some university communities in Seoul.
The National University Student Council Network (Jeondaenet) argued that since the tuition refund issue arose in a disaster situation like COVID-19, the government and the Ministry of Education should come up with measures.
Jeon Da-hyun, co-chairperson of Jeondaenet, said in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 19th, "It is a disaster situation caused by COVID-19, so it cannot be seen simply as a problem between universities and students. The Ministry of Education and the government, as educational institutions, should take some responsibility for the disaster situation," adding, "They should come up with measures similar to disaster relief funds, but they are only treating it as a problem for small business owners and individuals."
She continued, "While it is understood that universities are incurring some costs due to the shift to online classes, from the students' perspective, the quality of classes has deteriorated compared to before, so there should be clear accountability," and reiterated, "In disaster situations, the question of who is responsible for the damage arises, and in such cases, the government or the Ministry of Education should step in."
Representative Sim Sang-jung and Justice Party lawmakers are holding a 'Press Conference Urging Tuition Refund and Supplementary Budget Inclusion' on the morning of the 19th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
In the political arena, there was a consensus that the government should prepare an additional supplementary budget (Chugyeong) to support tuition refunds.
Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting on the 17th, "Despite the efforts of faculty members, student satisfaction is generally lower compared to face-to-face classes," and urged the preparation of a budget for tuition refunds, saying, "We must fully understand the feelings of students demanding tuition refunds from university authorities."
The opposition party also aligned their voices with the ruling party regarding the tuition issue. Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, said on the 18th, "Due to the COVID-19 situation, university students cannot even attend classrooms and have no choice but to face summer vacation," adding, "It is only natural to ask for tuition refunds since they have not properly attended lectures even once."
He added, "The government is providing disaster basic income to all citizens. During the process of preparing the third supplementary budget, I clearly recommend setting measures related to university tuition so that university students can feel secure about tuition refunds."
Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, also held a 'Press Conference Urging Additional Reflection on Tuition Refunds' at the National Assembly on the 19th, saying, "Parents and students are heartbroken because of tuition," and raised her voice for the preparation of a tuition refund budget, stating, "In a crisis situation where disaster relief funds are provided to all citizens, it is incomprehensible why tuition does not receive financial input."
Amid the impact of the novel coronavirus disease, most universities conducted first-semester classes online, and students' demands for tuition refunds are growing stronger. Photo by Yonhap News
The government maintains the position that resolving university tuition issues with taxes is inappropriate. This is because, compared to other sectors affected by COVID-19, financial support for universities is not urgent.
Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, said during a briefing to the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee on the 17th, "Although universities have lost income from dormitory operations and international students, compared to other private sectors such as self-employed businesses and tourism, they have been relatively less affected," adding, "It is inappropriate for the government to mention support measures while many universities have not decided on refunds, and it is also inappropriate at this stage to supplement tuition refunds with government finances."
The Ministry of Education stated that it is considering indirect support measures such as supporting universities that refund tuition fees.
According to Yonhap News, a Ministry of Education official said during a tuition-related back briefing on the 18th, "Tuition issues are fundamentally problems to be resolved through communication between universities and students," adding, "However, the Ministry of Education will do its best to come up with reasonable alternatives to address the difficulties each faces." The official also stated, "Direct cash support to students is difficult, but we are considering indirect support measures based on universities' self-help efforts."
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