Ruling Party and Government: "Reflect Reservist Training Students' Learning Rights in School Regulations... Guarantee by Law"

Revision of School Rules Guaranteeing Learning Rights
Comprehensive University Survey by Year-End

Lee Ju-ho, Minister of Education and Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs, stated on the 28th, "We will guide university presidents and other key public officials to ensure that no disadvantages occur to university students participating in reserve forces training, and we will include related provisions in university regulations." He also mentioned that the Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act will include provisions to guarantee the learning rights of reservists.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Minister Lee said at a government-party meeting held at the National Assembly regarding the protection of learning rights for students participating in reserve forces training, "There have been cases of disadvantages for students participating in reserve forces training at some universities. As the Minister of Education responsible for guaranteeing university students' learning rights, I find this very regrettable."

He added, "We will ensure that all university members clearly recognize and review the guarantee of learning rights for students attending reserve forces training," and emphasized, "We will include such provisions in the Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act and closely monitor with the Ministry of National Defense whether any disadvantageous cases occur."

On that day, the government and ruling party agreed to amend part of the Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act to guarantee the learning rights of students participating in reserve forces training, including attendance, grade processing, and make-up classes for missed lessons.

Park Dae-chul, Policy Committee Chair of the People Power Party, said at a briefing after the meeting, "We recommended universities revise their regulations to include rules guaranteeing learning rights and will verify whether revisions have been made through a comprehensive survey by the end of this year." He added, "After establishing protective measures through the amendment of the Enforcement Decree and university regulations, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of National Defense will conduct joint field inspections to ensure no disadvantageous cases occur."

Chairman Park also stated, "If necessary, we will listen to students' voices through a reporting center and take legal actions such as prosecution if illegal activities are confirmed," and added, "Above all, the Ministry of Education will guide not only key university officials but also major members to recognize the importance of this issue to ensure smooth implementation on the ground."

The amendment to the Enforcement Decree is expected to be reflected as early as the second semester after a legislative notice period in July.

This government-party initiative was launched after Kim Ki-hyun, the party leader, visited the 3rd Army Division (Baekgol Unit) in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, on the 20th and met with soldiers. At that time, Kim and the party leadership promised to pursue institutional improvements to ensure that no attendance disadvantages occur at universities after participating in reserve forces training. This amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act is the second youth pledge policy, with the first pledge being a student loan support policy that exempts interest on student loans up to 100% of the median income.

The People Power Party is continuing efforts to win the support of the 20s youth vote as the 2030 youth generation emerges as a "casting vote" in next year's National Assembly general election. During his visit to the military base in Cheorwon, Leader Kim promised to replace ice water dispensers throughout the military, and on the 23rd, he visited Hongik University to announce comprehensive policies for the youth generation, including student loan interest exemptions.

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