Gongju City Council Forms Special Committee to Oppose Gongju National University and Chungnam National University Integration

Controversy Over National University Merger Grows...
Gongju City Council Demands "Hasty Process Must Stop"
Plans for Direct Visits to Ministry of Education and Related Agencies for Coordinated Response

On the 20th, the Gongju City Council formed a Special Committee Against the Integration of Gongju National University and Chungnam National University.

The Gongju City Council in South Chungcheong Province has defined the push to merge Gongju National University and Chungnam National University as a "unilateral and hasty decision." The council has officially formed a special committee to oppose the integration and is moving to respond in full force. Concerns over the potential damage to the identity of local national universities and the quality of education are now leading to concrete action.

On the 20th, during the first plenary session of the 262nd regular meeting, the Gongju City Council (Chairman Lim Dalhee) established the "Special Committee to Oppose the Integration of Gongju National University and Chungnam National University."

Gongju National University and Chungnam National University were provisionally designated as Glocal Universities in May under a wide-area national university integration model, and were officially selected as final designated universities in September. The two universities are working toward launching the integrated university in March 2028.

However, the Gongju City Council has strongly opposed the integration, describing it as a "unilateral and rushed process without gathering local opinions." The special committee was formed with Assemblywoman Song Youngwol as the sponsor.

Previously, Chairman Lim Dalhee officially stated opposition to the integration of Gongju National University and Chungnam National University during a five-minute speech at the 260th extraordinary session. During the 261st extraordinary session, Assemblywoman Song Youngwol continued to demand an "immediate halt to the university integration." During the same session, a "resolution opposing the integration" was also adopted.

The special committee plans to hold its first meeting on the 21st to appoint a chairperson and vice-chairperson and to establish a concrete response roadmap, including visits to the Ministry of Education and related agencies. The city council declared, "We will continue strong and sustained activities until our opposition to the integration is reflected."