A national group representing professors at public universities is pressing the government to extend support under the so-called '10 Seoul National Universities' initiative beyond the first three selected schools. Busan, Chonnam and Chungnam national universities were chosen for initial support.
Han Sang-wook, head of the national public-university professors' association, argues that a long delay in supporting the remaining six regional flagship universities could create a new hierarchy among institutions that the policy is supposed to strengthen.
What happens next
The professors' group wants resources for the remaining schools secured in next year's budget. The debate will test how the government balances phased implementation with its regional-development goal, with the funding schedule for the six unselected universities now the central point to watch.