Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young has drawn a clear line against political discussions about relocating the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) to a provincial area.
"Although the controversy was triggered when some lawmakers proposed related legislation, I have never once considered moving the campus to that region," Choi wrote in a social media post Sunday.
"Despite the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism repeatedly stating that it has not reviewed the relocation, the debate continues amid the local election season," Choi said. "The campus relocation issue is not a matter to be decided by a small number of people but one that requires sufficient deliberation and consensus." He added, "I ask people not to misunderstand this as a plan that has already been decided and is being pushed forward, when it is merely one of many opinions."
Earlier, Rep. Jung Joon-ho of the Democratic Party (Buk-gu A, Gwangju) introduced the "Bill on the Establishment and Operation of the Korea National University of Arts" on Nov. 22 as its lead sponsor. The bill calls for relocating K-Arts to the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City and establishing a graduate program that would allow those who complete the Professional Arts Course to receive master's and doctoral degrees.
Opposition within the school has continued since the bill was disclosed. The K-Arts Student Council issued a statement on Nov. 23 protesting that the proposal "was pushed forward without any consideration of students or any prior notice." The school also expressed its opposition on Nov. 28, stating that the move "risks weakening the competitiveness of arts education."
