As some private universities continue to raise tuition fees, the Ministry of Education will meet with the presidents of national universities on the 8th to request a freeze on tuition.
On that day, Vice Minister O Seok-hwan will hold a meeting with the National University Presidents Council in the afternoon to discuss plans for freezing tuition fees for the 2025 academic year.
Previously, the Ministry of Education requested all universities to freeze tuition fees for the 2025 academic year, considering the difficulties in the economy and the severe national situation. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Lee Ju-ho sent a letter to all universities on Dec. 31, urging them to "actively participate in stabilizing tuition fees for the 2025 academic year."
However, around 50 private universities are considering raising tuition this year due to financial difficulties. According to the Korea Private University Presidents Council, a survey of the 151 member institutions revealed that 53.3% (48 institutions) of the 90 that responded plan to raise tuition this year.
Some private universities in Seoul, including Sogang University and Kookmin University, have already held tuition review committees and decided to raise tuition. Hanyang University, Chung-Ang University, and Hongik University are also said to be reviewing increases.
National universities are relatively cooperative with the government's request to freeze tuition fees. Seoul National University has maintained a freeze on tuition since 2009, and it has decided to continue this policy this year. However, regional national universities are facing financial difficulties due to population decline and the increasing preference for universities located in Seoul.
The Ministry of Education plans to ease the participation conditions for the National Scholarship II type for universities that freeze tuition fees. It means that even if a university reduces its internal scholarships by 10% compared to the previous year, it will still be eligible for the National Scholarship II type. The National Scholarship II type is a university-linked support type, and only universities that freeze or reduce tuition fees can participate, allowing both the universities and the students to receive support.