Assemblyman Shin Jeong-hoon, 'Lead Proposal' of Korea Energy Engineering University Act

Regulatory Relaxation for School Openings in 2022, Legal Basis for Government and Public Institution Financial Support Specified
Assemblyman Shin Jeong-hoon, "We Will Create a World-Class University Leading South Korea's Energy Science Technology and N

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Legislation to systematically support and establish Korea Energy Engineering University (KEEU) is being actively promoted.

On the 15th (Thursday), Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Jeong-hoon (Naju-Hwasun) announced that he has taken the lead in proposing the "Korea Energy Engineering University Act" (hereinafter referred to as the KEEU Act) to institutionally support the establishment and support of Korea Energy Engineering University (KEEU). Notably, more than 50 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties have joined as co-sponsors of the bill, raising expectations that the bill’s passage will gain stronger momentum.

The newly proposed KEEU Act changes the existing name from "Korea Electric Power Engineering University" to "Korea Energy Engineering University" and establishes a legal basis for the government, local governments, and public institutions to provide financial support for the development and stable operation of the university. It also stipulates operational grounds to guarantee the university’s autonomy and creativity, as well as special provisions to ensure the smooth opening of the university by 2022. Accordingly, Korea Energy Engineering University is expected to be operated as a special corporation with autonomy, similar to the Institute of Science and Technology, which is run under an independent individual law.

KEEU, initiated through the active proposals of lawmakers including Shin Jeong-hoon, is a project promoted as a pledge of President Moon Jae-in and a government national agenda. It is expected to become a key scientific and technological infrastructure for the Moon administration’s "Green New Deal" growth policy, aiming to secure a leading position in the global new energy industry market, estimated to reach 3,000 trillion won by 2030. Furthermore, it is anticipated to emerge as a central institution of the Energy Valley, regarded as the future growth engine of Gwangju and Jeonnam, serving as a core axis of the "Regional Balanced New Deal" announced by President Moon on the 13th.

Lawmaker Shin Jeong-hoon emphasized, "Korea Energy Engineering University will become a core R&D hub and educational institution supporting South Korea’s leadership in the explosively growing global new energy industry," adding, "We will institutionally support the university through legislation so that it can receive stable financial support and operate independently and creatively." He further stated, "Since it is also significant in laying a solid foundation for the balanced development of science, technology, industry, and the Gwangju-Jeonnam region, I expect cooperation and consensus to be formed beyond party lines."

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