Concerns Raised Over "Collapse of Gongju's Population and Economy" if Gongju National University and Chungnam National University Merge

Concerns Over University Integration
Im Dalhee Warns of Population Decline and Economic Fallout
Calls for Independent Development Strategy for Gongju National University

Im Dalhee, Chairperson of Gongju City Council

Concerns have been raised that if the consolidation of departments becomes a reality as part of the integration between Gongju National University and Chungnam National University, at least 2,000 students will move to Daejeon, leading to a decrease in Gongju's population and the collapse of the local economy.

On September 8, during a five-minute speech at the fourth plenary session of the 260th extraordinary meeting, Im Dalhee, Chairperson of Gongju City Council in South Chungcheong Province, stated, "Currently, Gongju National University has about 16,000 students enrolled across nine colleges and 89 departments. Of these, around 50 departments are similar or overlapping with those at Chungnam National University. Even if only half of these departments are relocated to Daejeon, more than 2,000 students will leave Gongju."

While Gongju National University has drawn a clear line, stating, "There will be no artificial consolidation of departments without an agreement between the two universities," Chairperson Im countered, "The essence of integration is financial efficiency and restructuring, so the relocation of departments is inevitable."

She cited the 2005 integration of Gongju National University and Cheonan Institute of Technology as a real-life example.

At that time, all 3,000 engineering students who had been based in Gongju were relocated to Cheonan, which resulted in a rapid decline in the local population and commercial activity.

Chairperson Im emphasized, "Although Gongju City is implementing policies to help students settle, such as providing settlement grants, Onnuri gift certificates, and garbage bags, the effect of these policies will be rendered meaningless if thousands of students leave. Gongju National University must establish an independent development strategy, and both the city council and the executive branch need to prepare countermeasures together."