Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young personally stepped forward to deny rumors of relocating the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts), amid ongoing controversy over the school's potential move to a provincial area.
Despite it being a holiday, Minister Choi took to his social media on Sunday morning to address the issue. "This controversy was triggered by some lawmakers from a specific region proposing related legislation. Although the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has already stated that it has not reviewed the matter at all, the debate continues alongside the local elections," he said. "As the minister responsible for the overall administration of the ministry, I would like to clearly state once again that I have never once considered moving the campus to that region."
The ministry had earlier issued a clarification on the 28th of last month, stating, "We would like to inform you that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has not reviewed the recent matter regarding the relocation of K-Arts to Gwangju." However, as the controversy continued afterward, the minister stepped in directly. The ministry had previously taken the position of not commenting either way on specific "campaign pledges" in consideration of next month's local elections.
"The campus relocation issue is absolutely not a matter to be decided behind closed doors by a small group. It requires sufficient deliberation and consensus in an open space," Minister Choi added. "I earnestly urge people not to misunderstand one of many opinions as if it were 'a plan already decided and being pushed forward.'"
He also stressed, "The remarkable achievements K-Arts has accomplished so far are a shining pride for all of us. At a time when K-culture is sweeping across the world, establishing a vision to elevate K-Arts into a world-class arts education institution must take precedence over everything else."
Earlier, Rep. Jung Jun-ho of the Democratic Party (Gwangju Buk-gu A) proposed the "Bill on the Establishment and Operation of the Korea National University of Arts" as the lead sponsor on the 22nd of last month. The bill calls for relocating K-Arts to the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City and establishing a graduate school so that students who have completed the Professional Arts Course can earn master's and doctoral degrees. Min Hyung-bae, the Democratic Party candidate for mayor of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, joined as a co-sponsor of the bill, adding momentum to the push.
When news of the bill's introduction spread, the K-Arts school administration and the student council unanimously expressed opposition, saying it "raises concerns about weakening the competitiveness of arts education."
