[Interview] Won Yong-geol, President of University of Seoul, "There Is a Duty to Establish a Public Medical School"

Inaugurated as President of Seoul City University in March Last Year
Consistent 'Donghaeng' Journey with School Members
Presenting a Model for 'Leap to the World with Seoul'

"Among universities without medical schools, our University of Seoul is ranked the highest..."

Won Yong-geol, President of the University of Seoul, smiled as he shared the news of the university’s 9th place ranking in the '2023 JoongAng Ilbo University Evaluation' during an interview with Asia Economy on the 7th. All universities ranked in the top 10 were major universities in Seoul, and the University of Seoul was the only one without a medical school. Medical schools, which top-tier students nationwide prioritize for admission, are the most effective means for universities to secure talented individuals.

The University of Seoul is an academic community with outstanding competitiveness even without a medical school. Historically, talented students from across the country have gathered at the University of Seoul. For students capable of entering Seoul’s top private universities but burdened by tuition fees, the University of Seoul was an excellent choice.

This is closely related to the unique characteristic of the University of Seoul as the only four-year public comprehensive university in Korea. In an era where annual tuition fees reach 10 million KRW, the University of Seoul’s tuition is in the 2 million KRW range, the lowest among major universities. While minimizing student burdens, it aims for the highest level of educational environment. The University of Seoul’s distinctive school culture, which supports solid university infrastructure, social reputation, and immersion in academics, is another reason for attracting talented individuals.

In fact, graduates of the University of Seoul are famously proud of their alma mater. The university’s status in the public servant community, including Seoul city and major autonomous districts, is second to none. Graduates also play pivotal roles in urban science and advanced convergence fields. The quietly strong nature of the University of Seoul is closely related to the type of talent it aims to nurture.

Won Yong-geol, President of the University of Seoul, is being interviewed by Asia Economy in the president's office at the main campus in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

"Our goal is to cultivate global advanced convergence talents with warm hearts."

President Won’s explanation conveys how the University of Seoul’s reputation has been built today and why. Talent must be backed by excellent character as well as ability. Based on his unique gentle leadership, President Won is preparing for a new leap forward in the 106-year history of the University of Seoul. His grand vision is to realize the dream of the University of Seoul soaring globally together with Seoul.

Focusing on nurturing talents in artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor fields to prepare for the future era shows what President Won considers the 'spirit of the times (University of Seoul spirit)'. There are also unfinished tasks. Establishing a public medical school is a goal that must be achieved not only for the development of the University of Seoul but also for the citizens of Seoul. As the importance of public healthcare grows, playing a central role in resolving medical blind spots in connection with Seoul city hospitals may not just be a dream but a destiny for the University of Seoul.

This is also why President Won does not settle for immediate results but devotes himself to preparing for the future. As a captain who focuses on the reason for the University of Seoul’s existence and nurtures talents who contribute more to society, President Won is gathering the university’s strength with bold steps. Below is the full Q&A with President Won.

Won Yong-geol, President of the University of Seoul, is being interviewed by Asia Economy in the president's office at the main campus in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Huh Young-han younghan@

-It has been about a year and a half since you took office as President of the University of Seoul in March last year. Could you share your thoughts?

▲There was a major issue with the Seoul Metropolitan Council cutting the University of Seoul’s support budget by 10 billion KRW. However, through supplementary budgeting, we secured 16.1 billion KRW, overcoming a major hurdle in securing funds necessary for university development. Additionally, to attract external funding, we secured government projects in three fields last year, including next-generation communications, following AI and big data. Believing that research activities should not face difficulties, we diversified funding sources, resulting in achievements such as being selected for early employment-type contract department leading graduate school development projects. Sometimes I wondered, ‘Is being a president this tough?’ but I feel pride and fulfillment in serving the academic community of the University of Seoul.

-You are known for your unique communication efforts on campus, such as wearing an apron and handing out coffee and cookies to students. Could you elaborate?

▲As an economist, my decision-making goal is happiness. I believe that members of the university, including students and staff, should be happy through their life at the University of Seoul. In that regard, I try to expand opportunities to interact with them in various ways. During exam periods, I participate in the ‘Love Night Snack’ event, personally serving food in the cafeteria and meeting students. The students respond well, and I gain energy and joy from it. A simple cookie or cup of coffee is a small gesture but a good way to show the president’s interest in the members. Also, with staff, we hold monthly communication events based on themes they are curious about, such as childcare, under the name ‘Donghaeng Sidae’ (meaning ‘Era of Accompanying’), emphasizing the meaning of accompanying the University of Seoul community.

Won Yong-geol, President of the University of Seoul, stood in front of the world map in the university headquarters lobby after finishing the interview. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

-You often emphasize character and happiness. What policies are you implementing in this regard?

▲We are focusing on providing extracurricular programs where students can gain experiences not taught in lectures and grow on their own. The idea is to cultivate ‘Hoyeonjigi’ (a Korean concept meaning a broad and generous spirit) so that students can enter society with a big heart. We have well-established exchange student and overseas internship scholarship programs to help students nurture their dreams abroad. During vacations, we operate overseas programs where about 100 students can experience various activities in Europe or the United States.

-What are the University of Seoul’s plans for internationalization?

▲We have exchange agreements with over 700 schools abroad, activating the exchange student system and creating an environment for students to grow as global leaders. To enhance international competitiveness and actively attract outstanding international students, we launched the International Affairs Office, upgraded from the International Education Center, last August. Along with exchange students, many international students enroll separately, providing opportunities for students to experience diverse cultures. We plan to continue developing activities such as supporting international joint research and maintaining the status of an excellent university certified for internationalization capabilities.

-You announced plans for a public medical school last November. What is the current status?

▲The University of Seoul has the responsibility to promote a public medical school. There are 12 Seoul city hospitals with 4,209 beds, but the supply of doctors is not smooth. Right after I took office last year, the director of Seoul Medical Center asked the University of Seoul to establish an affiliated medical school. Thus, we set the goal to establish a public medical school that can supply personnel to regional medical institutions and public medical centers. We have excellent students and professors, and departments such as Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, with all basic research labs ready. We only need to build the medical school building, but approval has not been granted yet. While Seoul may be considered to have good medical accessibility, elderly and vulnerable patients will inevitably find it harder to receive medical services in the future. The University of Seoul has the capability, justification, and responsibility to provide stable medical services that private institutions cannot to many citizens in Seoul and the metropolitan area.

-University of Seoul alumni are known for their strong affection and pride for their alma mater. What do you think is the reason?

▲Our university has played a special role over its more than 100-year history. Compared to private universities, tuition is very affordable. Also, due to the excellent education at the University of Seoul, students form strong bonds and share concerns closely. From another perspective, the University of Seoul has faithfully fulfilled its educational role as a ladder for growth. Since the education aims to polish raw gems into jewels, graduates who have gone through this process tend to have strong cohesion and pride.

Won Yong-geol, president of the University of Seoul, is giving a campus tour in front of the university headquarters after finishing an interview. Behind him is the East Gate Tower, which features the school's symbol, the Jangsan Ggotmae statue. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

-How would you like to be remembered as a president in the history of the University of Seoul?

▲While detailed management is necessary, ultimately a president must present a vision to the university community on a large scale. Based on the vision of ‘Soaring to the world together with Seoul,’ we are preparing a unique model that leaps globally anew through the tradition of a specialized prestigious university in urban science and advanced academic convergence. During the remaining term, I plan to establish an AI Convergence College to focus on nurturing talents in AI and semiconductor fields and to expand projects related to the promising future field of bio. Additionally, I want to be remembered as a president who embodies the University of Seoul spirit, the ‘spirit of the times,’ by bearing fruit in national projects and challenges for nurturing talents in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era.

Interview by: Ryu Jeong-min, Head of Social Affairs Department

Compiled by: Yeom Da-yeon, Reporter

▶Won Yong-geol, President of the University of Seoul

Born in 1963, he graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Economics. He earned a master’s degree in International Economics from Seoul National University Graduate School and then went to the United States to receive a Ph.D. in Economics from Indiana University. After starting his career at the University of Seoul in 2002, he served as a professor in the Department of Economics at the College of Political Science and Economics until February last year. He was president of the Korean International Finance Association from September 2020 to August 2021 and served as vice president and executive director of the Korean International Business Association from January to December 2023. He was elected president of the University of Seoul in March last year and concurrently serves as an advisor to the Economic Cooperation Development Fund of the Export-Import Bank of Korea, a member of the International Development Cooperation Committee, and president and CEO of the Korean International Economics Association.