This article was published on the ChosunBiz MoneyMove (MM) site at 6:23 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2025.
Amid rumors that Hanyang Academy, the foundation that runs Hanyang University, is up for sale, it has been learned that multiple strategic investors (SI), including actual conglomerates, have expressed interest in acquiring the entire foundation, including its real estate assets, and have indicated their intentions to Chairman Kim Jong-ryang's side. Chairman Kim's side is reported to value the foundation's total assets at about 700 billion won.
According to the investment banking (IB) industry on the 3rd, it was learned that multiple SIs recently made behind-the-scenes contact with Chairman Kim's side with the aim of acquiring Hanyang Academy. Among the SIs are conglomerates. They are said to be interested in acquiring the entire foundation outright, including the real estate assets held by Hanyang Academy.
A person familiar with internal affairs of Hanyang Academy said, "Although Hanyang Academy suffered difficulties due to the failure of a large-scale real estate project financing (PF), it is a prestigious private school foundation and owns a lot of prime real estate assets, making it an attractive target for chaebol corporations." Earlier, to resolve liquidity deterioration, Hanyang Academy sold Hanyang Securities in June for 220.4 billion won to KCGI PE.
Hanyang Academy owns the Hanyang University campus and a hospital in Seongdong District, Seoul, and through its affiliate Baeknam Tourism it owns the President Hotel in front of city hall. Chairman Kim's side is said to expect that if the foundation's real estate assets are revalued, they would approach 700 billion won.
However, buying and selling an entire school is not possible under the current Private School Act. According to Article 28 of the Private School Act and Article 12 of its enforcement decree, property used directly for school education (school grounds, school buildings (including auditoriums), sports fields, research facilities, etc.) cannot be sold or provided as collateral. As an exception, income-generating real estate or other basic assets may be sold or provided as collateral with a board resolution and the approval of the competent authority.
A Hanyang University official said, "The claim that the sale of Hanyang Academy is being pursued is completely unfounded."