South Korea’s Higher Education Reforms: Balancing Tradition and Survival

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Challenges in South Korea’s Higher Education Reforms

South Korea's higher education system is undergoing significant reforms in response to demographic decline, regional disparities, and global competition. The government has introduced initiatives like the Glocal University 30 and the Regional Innovation System and Education (RISE) to restructure institutions, enhance global competitiveness, and address financial instability. However, these reforms have faced strong resistance from students, faculty, and local communities, particularly regarding university mergers. Cases like the proposed integration of Pukyong National University and Korea Maritime and Ocean University, as well as Chungbuk National University and Korea National University of Transportation, have sparked student opposition due to concerns over institutional identity and lack of transparency.


Emotional and Cultural Resistance to Reform

Beyond structural changes, reforms have triggered emotional and cultural tensions, as seen in the controversy at Dongduk Women’s University. The proposed shift to co-education has led to fierce student protests, with students fearing the loss of the institution’s identity as a women-only university. The protests escalated into campus occupations and property damage, dividing the university community. While some advocate for pragmatic adaptation, others strongly oppose the change. The university administration has taken legal action against student protesters, but negotiations remain stalled, illustrating the deep conflicts these reforms generate.


Broader Systemic Pressures and the Future of Korean Universities

South Korean universities are struggling with both global competitiveness and financial sustainability. While global institutions in the U.S., Canada, and Australia attract students through strong branding and job market advantages, Korean universities must reconsider their models to stay relevant. Financial constraints, including a government-imposed tuition freeze, have forced institutions to depend on international student recruitment. However, this strategy has led to tensions between domestic and international students over academic standards. The case of Dongduk Women’s University exemplifies the broader struggle of institutions to balance tradition with survival. Ultimately, the country’s higher education policies require deeper structural reforms to resolve long-standing systemic challenges.


* This is a summary of the original co-authored article published in University World News https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20250121132432436.

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