Confusion on Campus Due to 4th Phase Extension... Preparing to Switch Back to Remote Learning

Seoul National University, Korea University, Chung-Ang University, and University of Seoul 2nd Semester Notice
Level 4: Online Classes, Levels 1-3: Limited In-Person Classes
Specialized Colleges with Many Practical and Lab Courses to Conduct Maximum In-Person Classes

On the 21st, as the spread of COVID-19 continues, the food alley near Ewha Womans University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, is quiet. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Universities that planned to partially resume face-to-face classes from the second semester are experiencing confusion as the Level 4 social distancing measures have been extended. An increasing number of universities are adopting the standard that face-to-face classes are not allowed under Level 4.

According to university sources on the 26th, Korea University, University of Seoul, Seoul National University, and Chung-Ang University announced that if Level 4 is maintained, they will revert to fully online classes. In June, they had announced that experimental, practical, and small-scale lectures would be conducted face-to-face, but as the metropolitan area was raised to Level 4 social distancing in July, universities are revising their class operation policies according to the distancing levels.

Korea University stated that under Level 4 social distancing, all classes will be conducted online, and limited face-to-face classes will only be allowed from Levels 1 to 3. For undergraduates, only theoretical classes with fewer than 50 students and experimental, practical, and skill-based classes are permitted. Under Level 4, face-to-face exams are also not allowed, and only online or assignment substitutes are possible.

University of Seoul also allows only online classes under Level 4, and under Level 3, face-to-face classes are permitted only for classes with 80 or fewer students (classes with 50 or more students must be divided). Regardless of the distancing level, face-to-face exams are allowed.

Seoul National University, which was the most proactive about face-to-face classes in the second semester, also changed its policy to conduct all classes online under Level 4. Under Levels 2 to 3, only courses with 50 to 100 students will be held face-to-face.

Chung-Ang University set the standard to allow face-to-face classes up to Level 2, and from Level 3, only experimental and practical classes will be conducted face-to-face with dean approval.

Universities had been preparing to open campuses following the Ministry of Education’s announcement on expanding face-to-face activities on the 24th of last month, but as the COVID-19 spread worsened from early this month, they are changing direction again.

On the 21st, as the spread of COVID-19 continues, citizens are waiting for testing at the temporary screening clinic in the public parking lot of Sinchon Train Station, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Specialized colleges, which have shorter course durations and many practical and skill-based classes, are in an even more difficult situation. Since practical classes must be conducted face-to-face, many schools are trying to hold face-to-face classes as much as possible even under Level 4 by having students attend practical classes every other week by grade.

A representative from a specialized college said, "Students who need to get jobs must have their practical work recognized to obtain certifications, so their position is somewhat different from general universities," adding, "We intend to maintain the basic principle of conducting face-to-face classes as much as possible and resorting to online classes only if face-to-face is impossible," but also said, "As COVID-19 worsens and cases among people in their 20s increase, we plan to revise our policy soon."

The Ministry of Education also finds it inevitable to revise the previously announced plans as the situation has changed significantly since the announcement in June. The Ministry plans to survey universities’ class operation plans in August, including the proportion of face-to-face classes and class operation methods. Additionally, it will support about five quarantine management personnel for each of the 374 universities and specialized colleges.

A Ministry of Education official explained, "While guaranteeing the autonomy of university academic operations, we plan to revise the guidelines for infection prevention in universities in cooperation with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and consult with quarantine authorities regarding the expansion of face-to-face activities at universities."

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