Higher Education Act (Godeung Gyoyuk Beop)
The Higher Education Act (Godeung Gyoyuk Beop) governs the establishment and operation of universities, colleges, and other higher education institutions in South Korea. Enacted in 1998, the Act establishes the framework for accreditation, governance, student rights, and the quality assurance of higher education. The Act regulates the establishment of universities, admission procedures, and the duties of educational institutions.
Legal area: Law governing the education system, institutions, and educational rights.
Year enacted: 1998
Full text: https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/law_view.do?hseq=south-korea-higher-education-act
Key Provisions
- Chapter I: General provisions (higher education institutions)
- Chapter II: Establishment and accreditation (standards, procedures)
- Chapter III: Governance (boards, presidents, faculty)
- Chapter IV: Student rights and duties
- Chapter V: Academic quality assurance
- Chapter VI: Educational finance and support
Significance
The Higher Education Act provides the regulatory framework for South Korea’s higher education system. South Korea has one of the highest rates of tertiary education attainment in the world. The Act has been amended to strengthen academic freedom, improve university governance, and enhance the quality of higher education. South Korea faces challenges including declining enrolment due to demographic changes, the closure of some universities, and the need to align higher education with labour market needs.