Will University Tuition Support Measures Be Included in the Supplementary Budget... Attention on the Possibility of National Budget Support

Democratic Party's Supplementary Budget Increased by 271.8 Billion Won
Universities Follow Their Own Plans
Government Likely to Decide Specific Support Amounts

On the 19th, students belonging to Corona University Student 119 held a press conference demanding tuition refunds in front of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Wondara] As discussions within the National Assembly have emerged to reconsider indirect support for university tuition refunds, attention is focused on whether support for universities through the national budget will become a reality.

On the 30th, the National Assembly's Education Committee submitted the 'Ministry of Education Supplementary Budget (Supplementary Budget) Proposal,' which was approved late the previous day, to the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts. The supplementary budget proposal submitted by Park Chandae, the ruling party's Education Committee spokesperson from the Democratic Party of Korea, includes an increase of 271.8 billion KRW over the budget proposed by the Ministry of Education. It restores 76.7 billion KRW cut from the University Innovation Support Project and the Junior College Innovation Support Project in the main budget and newly increases 195.1 billion KRW for separate project types. Although the nominal purpose differs, the funds are expected to be used for university tuition refunds. Ruling party Education Committee members state that while direct cash support is impossible, indirect support to universities is feasible.

The tuition refund amount proposed by Representative Park is around 400,000 KRW, which is 10% of the tuition fee. Park said, "With the supplementary budget alone, only 100,000 to 150,000 KRW per university student can be supported." In other words, the remaining 250,000 to 300,000 KRW must be provided by the universities themselves. As of last year, there are about 1.8 million university students in South Korea. A simple calculation shows that universities would need to bear approximately 450 billion KRW. The amount of government support is expected to be determined based on how much universities add from their own budgets to prepare tuition refund plans.

A representative from the Korea Council for University Education said, "University finances are really tight due to 11 years of frozen tuition fees," but added, "Universities will likely consider measures in line with the supplementary budget increase." Besides Konkuk University, which was the first to announce tuition refunds, and Hansung University, which provided scholarships to all students, no other universities have yet announced tuition refunds.

There is some possibility that the amount may change at the Budget and Accounts Committee stage. Following the full committee meeting on this day, the ruling party plans to conduct detailed reviews at the Budget Adjustment Subcommittee on the 1st and 2nd of next month, then attempt final approval at the plenary session on the 3rd. Meanwhile, some university students plan to proceed with tuition refund lawsuits as scheduled. The National University Student Network will file a complaint at the Seoul Central District Court on the 1st of next month. Approximately 3,700 students from 115 universities will participate in the lawsuit.

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