The Ministry of Education has revised related laws to support the integration of national and public universities in Gangwon, South Jeolla, and South Gyeongsang. The integrated universities will all launch on Mar. 1, 2026.
The Ministry of Education said on the 24th that a proposal to partially amend the Enforcement Decree on the Establishment of National Schools with this content was deliberated and approved at a Cabinet meeting. The amendment was carried out to support the smooth launch of the integrated universities.
The integrated universities are: ▲ Kangwon National University and Gangneung-Wonju National University ▲ Mokpo National University and Jeonnam Provincial University ▲ Changwon National University and Gyeongnam Provincial Geochang and Namhae Colleges. The amendment includes the names of the integrated universities, reorganization of their administrative structures, and transitional measures for students, faculty, and staff of the abolished universities.
Notably, Kangwon National University and Gangneung-Wonju National University will be integrated as Kangwon National University. They will launch on Mar. 1. There will be one president, one vice president per campus, and one integrated vice president, totaling five. Chuncheon will focus on medical and bio, Gangneung on new materials, tourism, and sports, Samcheok on liquefied hydrogen, and Wonju on digital healthcare and smart integrated care.
Mokpo National University and Jeonnam Provincial University will be integrated as Mokpo National University. A four-year general bachelor's program and a two-year associate degree program will be run in parallel. Jeonnam Provincial University students will retain their enrollment status through 2032, and teaching assistants will belong to Mokpo National University.
Changwon National University will integrate with Gyeongnam Provincial Geochang and Namhae Colleges and launch as Changwon National University. Two- to four-year programs will be operated simultaneously. The Changwon campus will be AI-based; Geochang will cultivate talent in future defense and smart manufacturing; Namhae will cultivate practical talent in aviation and maritime defense.
Minister Choi Kyo-jin of the Ministry of Education said, "We will spare no effort in interest and support so that the newly launched integrated universities can play a leading role in balanced national development."