In response to the government's restructuring of local education funding formulas, the National University Presidents Council has expressed strong support for the changes. The council, which consists of presidents from ten national universities, emphasized the urgent need for a rational redistribution of education finances to address the challenges faced by higher education, particularly after 18 years of frozen tuition rates.
On August 25, the council released a statement welcoming the announcement of the restructuring of local education funding and calling for the stabilization of finances for higher education.
The council stated, "South Korea's education and future are at a critical turning point, facing challenges such as declining school-age populations, regional extinction, and concentration in the capital area, alongside fierce competition for talent and technology in advanced industries." They stressed the need for a rational redistribution of national education finances in line with changing educational demands.
They highlighted the severe financial crisis in higher education, noting that the restriction on tuition increases over the past 18 years threatens the survival of national universities. They pointed out that rising costs of living and essential expenses, such as labor and public utility costs, are increasingly burdensome.
The council clarified that the proposed changes to the funding structure are not intended to cut education budgets. They explained, "The changes in the distribution structure of funding linked to domestic taxes are not about reducing education budgets but about strategically investing limited national education resources in areas most needed by future generations."
Based on this understanding, the council urged the government and the National Assembly to rationally reform the national education finance system and provide substantial support for higher education. They called for a balance between adequately supporting essential needs in primary and secondary education while also reflecting new educational demands, such as the decline in school-age populations and the training of talent for advanced industries, in the distribution of national finances.
Furthermore, they advocated for the direct allocation of operational funds for higher education, similar to the funding provided for primary and secondary education, to enhance financial stability. They urged a shift away from the existing support model, which focuses on short-term project funding, to establish a robust financial foundation that allows universities to autonomously improve educational facilities, research environments, and student support.
The council also called for the establishment of a long-term national investment system and legal and institutional frameworks to foster national universities as key engines of regional innovation. They believe that national universities should serve as essential platforms connecting education, research, industry, healthcare, and entrepreneurship to break the cycle of youth talent outflow to the capital area and declining regional job opportunities.
The council concluded by earnestly requesting the establishment of a legal and institutional foundation that can provide stable support for higher education, lifelong education, and the cultivation of strategically important talent. They affirmed their commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities for continuous achievement and balanced regional growth.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.