Kim Daesik of People Power Party Proposes First Bill: 'Three Education Acts'

"Sustainable Development of Korea... A Centennial National Plan"

Local University Promotion Act, Higher Education Act, Industrial Education Promotion Act

Kim Daesik, a member of the People Power Party representing Sasang-gu, Busan, who serves as the leader of the first-term lawmakers' group, has proposed three bills containing education reform measures as his first legislative initiative.

On the 2nd, at the National Assembly's Communication Center, Representative Kim announced the proposal of the "Three Education Bills," expressing his strong commitment to education reform for the nation's centennial vision. He explained that the purpose of the bills is to nurture talent who will lead the development of national education by strengthening balanced regional development and enhancing the competitiveness of local universities.

The "Three Education Bills" proposed by Representative Kim consist of amendments to the Local University Promotion Act, the Higher Education Act, and the Industrial Education Promotion Act. He stated, "Currently, Korea is facing a difficult situation in the people's livelihood economy due to a prolonged period of high inflation, high interest rates, and high exchange rates caused by a global complex crisis and a stagnant domestic market," adding, "The Yoon Sukyeol administration and the People Power Party are pursuing various livelihood economy policies to address this."

Assemblyman Kim Daesik is holding a press conference on the 2nd while proposing the three education reform bills.

Representative Kim emphasized, "I proposed the 'Three Education Bills' to support the various policies being promoted by the government," and added, "I am focusing my legislative activities on stabilizing people's lives and restoring the economy." He continued, "There is no division between the ruling and opposition parties when it comes to education," and expressed hope that "with the interest of lawmakers from both sides and the public, the bills will be passed as soon as possible."

The three education bills proposed by Representative Kim include amendments to the Local University Promotion Act, the Higher Education Act, and the Industrial Education Promotion Act, aiming to reform the integrated master's and doctoral programs, promote the activation of university-industry-research cooperation technology holding companies, and improve the structure of local universities.

First, the "Partial Amendment to the Act on the Promotion of Local Universities and Balanced Regional Talent Development" seeks to integrate the Local University and Regional Balanced Talent Development Support Council and the Regional Cooperation Committee, and to establish a (tentatively named) Regional Higher Education and Talent Development Cooperation Committee. This aims to provide a legal basis for building a cooperation system among local governments, local universities, and local industries.

Second, the "Partial Amendment to the Higher Education Act" allows graduate schools with doctoral programs that meet the standards set by Presidential Decree to operate integrated bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs to foster master's and doctoral-level talent at an earlier stage. It also stipulates matters related to the duration of study, admission qualifications, and degree conferral for such programs.

Third, the "Partial Amendment to the Act on the Promotion of Industrial Education and University-Industry-Research Cooperation" aims to relax the regulations on the ratio of in-kind contributions and the mandatory shareholding ratio for subsidiaries of technology holding companies, and to establish a legal basis for the re-approval of university-industry-research cooperation technology holding companies. This is intended to promote the activation of such companies and address shortcomings in the current system.