Recommendation of 'Remote Classes' to All Universities Nationwide... Retroactive Application After Academic Regulations Revision (Update)

On the 4th, students wearing masks are passing in front of a banner with guidelines for preventing the novel coronavirus infection at Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The government has recommended that all universities nationwide conduct remote classes instead of in-person attendance until the situation stabilizes to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the afternoon of the 2nd, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye held an emergency briefing and announced the "2020 Academic Year First Semester University Academic Operation Recommendation," which includes avoiding in-person classes and implementing remote classes at each university.

This recommendation follows the Ministry of Education's suggestion on the 5th of last month to postpone the semester start, which led universities to delay opening by 1 to 2 weeks. However, due to concerns over the nationwide spread of COVID-19, additional academic operation measures were deemed necessary based on proposals from the Korea Council for University Education (Daekyo-hyeop) and the Korea Council for College Education (Jeonmun Daekyo-hyeop).

Accordingly, the Ministry of Education instructed universities to refrain from in-person classes until the COVID-19 situation stabilizes and to conduct remote classes such as online lectures and assignments-based learning. The specific teaching methods are to be autonomously determined by each university after gathering opinions from faculty and students according to their circumstances.

The Ministry also allowed universities to independently organize and conduct remote courses and content composition methods in accordance with the "2020 Academic Year First Semester Remote Class Operation Standards for General Universities." Administrative measures necessary for academic operations can be implemented by universities first and later applied retroactively through amendments to academic regulations.

To support remote classes and ensure their quality, the Ministry will establish a provisional "Remote Education Operation Advisory Committee" and designate and operate Remote Education Support Centers. Furthermore, universities will not face disadvantages in evaluations or audits conducted by the Ministry due to academic measures taken. The Ministry, Daekyo-hyeop, and Jeonmun Daekyo-hyeop will jointly operate a task force to consider mid- to long-term revisions to the "Higher Education Act Enforcement Decree."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.