Seoul City Council Chairman Kim Hyun-ki Meets University Presidents to Discuss Strengthening Regional University Competitiveness

27 University Presidents Propose Regulatory Relaxation, Improvement of Local Education Finance Grants, and Support Ordinances for Regional Universities... Chairman Kim Hyun-gi States "Permanent Consultative Body Among Seoul City Council, Seoul City, and Regional Universities May Also Be Possible"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Kim Hyun-ki, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (People Power Party, Gangnam 3rd District), attended the 24th Seoul Presidents Forum held at the Korea Press Center on the morning of the 31st and held a meeting with presidents of 27 universities.

The Seoul Presidents Forum is a consultative body established in 2015, involving presidents of 37 universities in Seoul.

The event, which began with a greeting from Jeon Young-jae, President of Konkuk University and the forum's chairman, featured Professor Lee Hyun-chul of Konkuk University (Director of External Cooperation) introducing the direction of the "Research on Support and Regulatory Improvement Measures for Universities in the Seoul Area" to the attendees.

Chairman Kim Hyun-ki stated, “For Seoul, which aims to be a global Top 5 city, enhancing the competitiveness of universities is crucial to strengthening the city's competitiveness,” adding, “The local government will start discussions at the council level on ways to strengthen the city's educational capacity by linking support for elementary, middle, and high schools with university support.”

The university presidents proposed to Chairman Kim Hyun-ki the following: ▲ deregulation for space improvement and dormitory construction ▲ improvement of the local education finance grant system, which is biased toward support for elementary, middle, and high schools ▲ ordinances for regional university support at the Seoul city level ▲ establishment of a consultative body among the Seoul Metropolitan Council, Seoul City, and major universities ▲ support for recovery of universities affected by heavy rain damage.

In response, Chairman Kim Hyun-ki expressed, “I warmly welcome the establishment of a consultative body among the council, city, and major universities,” and expressed expectations that “the Seoul Metropolitan Council as the decision-making body, Seoul City as the executing body, and major universities will work together to find solutions related to budget support and regulatory reform.”

Furthermore, Chairman Kim said, “If universities have difficulties or suggestions, actively communicating with local city council members and utilizing the Seoul Metropolitan Council petition system will also be useful for problem-solving.”

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