55.6% of National University Presidents Support Appointment of General Civil Servants as Secretariat Chiefs

Kim Moon-soo Surveys 27 Nationwide... Only 2 Oppose
"Excluding Specific Professions Is a Problem, Expertise and Experience Are Top Priorities"

Assemblyman Kim Moon-soo

55.6% of national university presidents expressed support for adding general civil servants to the pool of candidates for university administrative directors.

This survey result was confirmed in a questionnaire conducted by Kim Moon-soo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, and Gurye Gap), who asked presidents of 27 national universities nationwide about their opinions on candidates for administrative directors at the end of August. The survey was conducted from August 29 to September 12.

In the survey, while maintaining the current appointment method for administrative directors, 15 presidents (55.6%) supported adding general civil servants to the candidate pool. Two (7.4%) opposed, eight (29.6%) were unsure, and one each did not respond or gave other answers.

Among those opposed, some expressed support for appointing administrative directors from Ministry of Education headquarters civil servants, and overall, there was a fundamental agreement on diversifying the candidate pool to appoint talented individuals with expertise and capabilities.

On the 23rd, Representative Kim stated, “Currently, the candidate pool consists of professors and civilians, but many presidents expressed support for adding general civil servants. It is reasonable to provide opportunities to talented individuals with the professionalism and experience suitable for administrative directors. If the president exercises the appointment authority among excellent candidates, it can promote both university autonomy and development.”

He added, “The approach of the Presidential Office or the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which excludes certain occupational groups, has many problems. Sudden changes without review or consultation are bound to cause side effects.”

Meanwhile, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, in its first year in office in September 2022, pushed for a reorganization of national university administrative director appointments that excluded Ministry of Education civil servants. In June last year, all civil servants were excluded, and in November, the enforcement decree was revised to limit appointments to professors or civilians. As of September 1, national university administrative directors consist of nine professors and two external civilians.