[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Congressman Yoon Youngdeok (Democratic Party of Korea·Gwangju Dongnamgap) announced on the 29th that he held the ‘Policy Forum on the Establishment of the Comprehensive Management Support Center for Closed Universities’ on the 26th.
This policy forum was co-hosted by Congressmen Oh Younghoon and Kang Minjung, and the Korea Professors Development Institute.
Professor Park Baekyun of Seoul National University served as the chair, and presentations were made by Professor Hong Seonghak of Chungbuk Health Science University, Director Joo Yonggi of the Korea Professors Development Institute Research Headquarters, and Director Lee Deokjae of the Korea Professors Development Institute.
Following this, a discussion took place with the participation of Jo Seungrye, Standing Representative of the National Movement Headquarters for Private School Reform, Song Seonjin, Head of the Private University Policy Division at the Ministry of Education, Kim Hyunsun, Chair of External Cooperation at the Korea Professors Development Institute, and Joo Dongsik, Project Director at the Korea Professors Development Institute.
So far, 17 universities have been closed, and in most cases, the cause was private school corruption due to embezzlement by founders or foundations. The victims of this have been students, staff, and professors, and many professors and staff who lost their jobs have suffered extreme stress and depression as their lives have collapsed.
Going forward, due to the decline in the school-age population, the number of university admission candidates will decrease, and from 2024, there will be a shortage of about 120,000 students compared to the admission quota. The saying “universities disappear in the order that cherry blossoms bloom” is becoming a reality.
Amid this crisis, the Ministry of Education has faced continuous criticism for insufficient comprehensive management of closed universities, including measures to protect members affected by closures and the liquidation of remaining assets.
Professor Hong Seonghak, who gave a presentation, emphasized, “A social safety net for faculty and staff of closed universities must be established based on the installation and operation of a Comprehensive Management Support Center for Closed Universities,” and added, “Moreover, before policies supporting closed universities, a comprehensive development plan to revive the higher education ecosystem in Korea must be created.”
Director Joo Yonggi said, “Current policies related to university closures are effectively preserving the assets of the founders without clear objectives,” and stated, “The core value of education should not be neglected, nor should policies be driven by capital logic. Policies must be promoted to protect members based on the principle of teacher legality under Article 31, Paragraph 6 of the Constitution.”
Director Lee Deokjae said, “The greatest victims of university closures are not the school corporations but solely the faculty, staff, and students,” and added, “After closure, there is no status guarantee or social safety net for private university faculty and staff under the Private School Act or Labor Law, and the Ministry of Education must quickly establish legal safeguards,” proposing the formation of a promotion committee.
Congressman Yoon said, “Currently, the Korea Private School Promotion Foundation is working to provide loans for funds necessary for corporate liquidation and to establish a center to manage records of closed universities,” but added, “However, due to difficulties in securing budgets, the path for management or support for members of closed universities remains distant.”
He continued, “Policy alternatives that can comfort the wounds of members placed in tragic situations due to university closures must be prepared as soon as possible,” and stated, “As a member of the Education Committee, I will actively work on the enactment and revision of related laws.”
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