- Orders active utilization of educational special exceptions for the 'Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City' during the Ministry of Education's work report on the 5th
- Emphasizes the "need to grant autonomy free from government control to overcome the marginalization of regional universities"
- Ministry of Education expresses reluctance to immediately introduce a Jeonnam-Gwangju-tailored admissions system, but notes it is "worth researching"
President Lee Jae-myung has proposed introducing an independent college admissions system free from government control for the newly launched Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City. The vision aims to break through the phenomenon of regional university marginalization by making exceptions to South Korea's single admissions system, including the CSAT, in the form of regional autonomy, though fallout is expected including controversies over educational equity.
President Lee made the remarks while discussing ways to expand educational autonomy for the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City during a work report by the Ministry of Education and other bodies presided over at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 5th. Pointing out the current admissions system uniformly applied on a national scale, President Lee raised the necessity of a unique system that strengthens regional-level autonomy, allowing universities to select students independently outside of government standards.
Behind this proposal lies the reality of regional universities facing the crisis of extinction. Mentioning the regrettable situation where regional universities are pushed to the back burner in admissions, President Lee recommended operating an independent system if local residents and universities desire it, utilizing the educational special exceptions granted under the Special City Act. However, he drew the line by stating that this does not restrict students educated in the region from entering Seoul metropolitan area universities.
负责 (The ministry in charge, the Ministry of Education) showed a somewhat cautious stance. Minister of Education Choi Kyo-jin stated that while the diversification of elementary, middle, and high school curricula within regions and the expansion of autonomy are being actively promoted, it is difficult to immediately conceive a specialized college admissions system exclusively for Jeonnam-Gwangju, expressing reluctance. However, he added that it is worth researching in the future in connection with mega programs limited to specific fields, leaving room for review.