Universities Expanding In-Person Classes to Level 4... Seoul National University Declares 'With Corona' Policy

Over 70% of the Population Receives First COVID-19 Dose, Gradual Expansion of In-Person Classes
Seoul National University to Promote In-Person Theory Lectures from October 18
Sungkyunkwan University Allows In-Person for Labs, Practicals, and Small Classes Only
Many Maintain Remote Classes Amid Surge in Cases After Chuseok

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Universities are gradually expanding in-person classes starting in October while maintaining level 4 social distancing. Seoul National University announced plans to promote in-person classes even for theoretical lectures as part of its declaration of 'With Corona.'

Seoul National University will gradually implement and prepare for in-person classes over two weeks starting October 4, and from October 18, it will conduct in-person classes within the scope of available resources at each university. This decision is based on the high vaccination rate among university students and the ability to maintain social distancing through systems that monitor testing facilities and facility density, making in-person classes feasible.

Instead of resuming in-person classes for all, Seoul National University will provide alternative classes such as video lectures or hybrid classes for confirmed COVID-19 cases, contacts, symptomatic individuals, and vaccinated students who have difficulty attending in person.

Earlier, President Oh Se-jung stated in an email to campus members, "Starting in October, we intend to wisely transition to living with COVID-19 in order to normalize the university's educational and research functions."

President Oh said, "Considering the continuous increase in vaccination rates and other changing circumstances, we judged that even if level 4 social distancing continues, we can gradually transition to in-person classes while complying with government quarantine guidelines and open the university doors."

Sungkyunkwan University Humanities and Social Sciences Campus

Sungkyunkwan University will also conduct in-person classes for experiments, practical training, and small-sized classes starting from November 5. This partial resumption of in-person classes follows the Ministry of Education's recommendation to expand in-person classes as the nationwide first-dose vaccination rate reaches 70%.

However, Sungkyunkwan University will limit in-person classes to experiments, practical training, and small classes with 10 or fewer students. Theoretical classes with more than 10 students will be conducted as hybrid classes with in-person attendance capped at 10 students. The university plans to monitor classroom density in real-time through an electronic attendance system and use recorded lecture rooms to disperse students.

Sungkyunkwan University stated, "If social distancing is eased or the Ministry of Education's quarantine guidelines are revised considering vaccination rates, we plan to gradually expand in-person classes."

Many universities still primarily conduct remote classes under level 4 social distancing. Yonsei University will continue full remote classes as long as level 4 is maintained, and Korea University will conduct non-face-to-face classes until October 20. This is due to the daily confirmed cases surpassing 2,400 right after the Chuseok holiday and projections of continued increases in cases.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education announced the 'Second Semester Academic Operation Plan' in August, outlining a phased expansion of in-person activities once 70% of the population completes the first dose of vaccination. The plan emphasizes expanding overall on-campus in-person activities after the first dose completion, moving beyond just experiments, practical training, and small classes.