Regarding the introduction of a bill to transfer the Korea National University of Arts in Seoul to the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City, the school said, "Transfer discussions that do not fully take into account our particularities risk weakening the competitiveness of art education in the Republic of Korea."
On the 28th, the Korea National University of Arts said in a statement, "Artistic inspiration and capacity are born from constant interaction with the field, access to professional infrastructure, and the organic integration of the overall arts ecosystem," and stated accordingly.
Chung Joon-ho (Gwangju Buk-gu Gap), a lawmaker with the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 22nd led the introduction of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Korea National University of Arts. The bill includes transferring the Korea National University of Arts to the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City, which launches in July.
The Korea National University of Arts argued that transferring the school without preparing faculty and performance and exhibition infrastructure could diminish the efficiency of the education system.
In particular, it said sufficient consensus among students and members must be a precondition for the school's transfer. The Korea National University of Arts said, "On matters of great importance that determine a university's future, educational values should take precedence over political logic," and added, "Students expressed concerns in a statement on the 23rd about the impact that a unilateral transfer push could have on their right to learn."
It added, "To protect students' precious place of learning and fully preserve artistic values, we will pool the wisdom of members inside and outside the school and devise response measures."
The Korea National University of Arts also said, "We hope for a deep understanding of the particularities of arts education and that our voice is listened to and respected before unilaterally pushing the bill."