Jeong Younggyun of Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Raises Concerns Over Marginalization of Local Universities by "Creating 10 Seoul National Universities" Policy

Possibility Raised of Excluding Suncheon National University and Mokpo National University from Support

Jung Younggyun, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea, Suncheon 1), emphasized the need for a strategic response to ensure that local universities in Jeonnam are not marginalized by changes in government education policy during the 2025 second-half business report for the Talent Development and Education Bureau of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly held on July 15.

Jung expressed concern regarding the "Creating 10 Seoul National Universities" policy, a core education pledge of the Lee Jaemyung administration, stating, "Although Suncheon National University and Mokpo National University have achieved meaningful results through initiatives such as the Glocal University and RISE projects, there is a possibility that support may be concentrated only on other key national universities as a result of this policy."

Jung Younggyun, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member.

The "Creating 10 Seoul National Universities" policy aims to foster local talent and strengthen local settlement conditions by providing Seoul National University-level financial and research infrastructure support to nine national universities outside the capital area: Kangwon National University, Kyungpook National University, Gyeongsang National University, Pusan National University, Chonnam National University, Jeonbuk National University, Jeju National University, Chungnam National University, and Chungbuk National University. Recently, the Ministry of Education reported related details to the National Policy Planning Committee, initiating full-scale discussions.

Jung stated, "In order to ensure that our efforts so far are not in vain, universities in the province, the Talent Development and Education Bureau, and the assembly must work together organically to develop countermeasures," adding, "A proactive response at the Jeollanam-do level is urgently needed."

In response, Kang Jongcheol, Director of the Talent Development and Education Bureau, said, "We will actively respond to ensure that local universities in Jeonnam are not marginalized by changes in education policy," and added, "We will submit a proposal to the government so that Jeonnam can be additionally included in the 'Creating 10 Seoul National Universities' policy."