Four Candidates Narrowed for Next President of Seoul National University

The race to elect the next president of Seoul National University has intensified with four candidates—Kang Jun-ho (College of Education), Kim Hyun-chul (Graduate School of International Studies), Lee Jae-young (College of Humanities), and Choi Hae-cheon (College of Engineering)—narrowed down from an initial pool of 12. A notable development in this election is the elimination of current president Yoo Hong-rim, who was seeking reappointment, marking the first time a sitting president has failed to advance in the selection process since the university's incorporation.

While the election landscape remains unpredictable, early assessments suggest that Lee Jae-young, who is running again, may have a slight advantage. The implications of Yoo's departure from the race are also being closely monitored.

According to reports from Aju Economy, the four candidates who passed the differential scoring evaluation by the presidential recommendation committee possess distinct strengths. Lee Jae-young, who has experience from previous elections, is expected to garner strong support due to his solid organizational base in the humanities and social sciences, having held various administrative roles including dean and student affairs director. A former president noted, "Elections ultimately hinge on the grassroots support built through continuous communication," adding that Lee has a well-established support base from his previous candidacy.

With Yoo's elimination, there are predictions that the College of Engineering and the broader science and engineering community may consolidate their support behind Choi Hae-cheon, a former vice president. Additionally, candidates Kang Jun-ho and Kim Hyun-chul, both with extensive administrative and policy experience, could emerge as dark horses depending on their ability to attract support from non-engineering faculties and staff.

Many within the university community believe that Yoo's elimination was influenced more by collective psychology and governance characteristics unique to Seoul National University than by individual capability or reputation. A faculty member remarked, "The faculty generally harbors a reluctance towards long-term incumbency of a single leader, preferring a norm of serving for four years without major issues before stepping down." This sentiment contributed to an unspoken consensus against reappointment.

Critics pointed to Yoo's push for reforms, such as expanding the selection of students without majors and restructuring academic programs around advanced interdisciplinary studies, as particularly contentious. Another professor noted that increasing enrollment in fields like AI necessitated reducing existing departmental quotas, which faculty perceived as a threat to their positions, leading to significant resistance.

Yoo's failure to advance in the initial round suggests that the upcoming presidential election may serve as a platform for policy evaluation. Candidates will need to establish new frameworks and visions to succeed. An anonymous source stated, "The current administration's unilateral approach has been clearly rejected by the faculty, and any candidate who claims to uphold Yoo's legacy will likely face self-destruction."

Another faculty member predicted that the dispersed support following Yoo's exit would not consolidate around a single candidate, as the prevailing atmosphere favors candidates who can guarantee the independence and autonomy of the colleges.

Amid declining student populations and the transformative impact of AI, the primary quality sought in the next president is not "disruptive innovation" but rather "stability and integrative leadership." A university representative noted, "While external observers may wish to impose swift changes, Seoul National University cannot be led unilaterally like a private institution. Significant changes, such as curriculum reforms in the medical school, required extensive discussions to achieve consensus before implementation." The next president must be someone who fosters dialogue and consensus rather than exacerbating conflicts.

A former president highlighted essential competencies for the next leader, including the ability to mediate conflicts between colleges, promote bottom-up governance, and protect the university's autonomy against external pressures. He emphasized that the four candidates reflect a need for leaders who can unify the university community and alleviate anxieties among faculty and staff.

The election process will include public presentations on September 17 at the Yeonkeun campus and September 22 at the Gwanak campus, followed by a policy evaluation vote by faculty, staff, and students on October 7. The final three candidates will be recommended to the board of trustees, which is expected to select the new president by the end of October, with the official inauguration scheduled for February of the following year.