On September 1, the Ministry of Education announced that it had selected three universities—Pusan National University, Chonnam National University, and Chungnam National University—for package support under the 2026 “Making 10 Seoul National Universities” initiative. The selection links the Five-Region, Three-Special-Zone growth-engine sectors with artificial intelligence, providing integrated support for undergraduate programs, graduate schools, and research institutes.
Key Changes
The first package-support recipients are Pusan National University, Chonnam National University, and Chungnam National University. Support is expected to continue for five years through 2030, and package-based support for the selected universities was reported at approximately KRW 70 billion per university this year.
The key point of this announcement is that three universities—not all of the national flagship universities across the country—were selected as the first package-support recipients.
Current Status
The universities’ proposed areas of specialization are as follows.
- Pusan National University: It proposed establishing the “Innovative Manufacturing Convergence College” in 2028, linking shipbuilding and marine engineering, mechanical systems, aerospace, and other growth industries in the southeastern region with the AI transformation of manufacturing and marine industries.
- Chonnam National University: It proposed establishing the “Advanced Convergence College” in 2028, focusing on advanced semiconductors, future energy, and AI while expanding corporate-participation courses and joint research.
- Chungnam National University: It proposed establishing the “NEXUS College of Science and Technology” in 2028 and building a joint education and research system with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
These are implementation plans proposed by the selected universities and do not indicate that the outcomes have already been achieved.
Impact
The two funding figures should be distinguished. “Approximately KRW 70 billion per university” refers to the support amount under the package program. By contrast, the “approximately KRW 100 billion per university compared with the previous year” described in the Ministry of Education’s June selection-plan materials refers to additional funding that includes support for Five-Region, Three-Special-Zone shared universities. The two figures are not based on the same criteria.
The Ministry of Education plans to establish joint core performance indicators involving universities, local governments, and the private sector, review performance at each stage, and reflect the results in differential financial support.
Next Checkpoint
The selection and funding of additional universities may be discussed during consultations among relevant ministries and the National Assembly’s review of the government’s budget proposal. However, as of September 1, 2026, the list of additional universities had not been finalized.
The selection and support structure were confirmed through the Ministry of Education’s June materials and major reports published on September 1. Because the original URL for the Ministry of Education’s final selection results could not be directly confirmed through search, subsequent official announcements and the budget-review process should also be monitored.
Sources:
- [Ministry of Education policy news: Three regional flagship national universities selected this year](https://admin.korea.kr/news/policyNewsView.do?newsId=148966706&pWise=mSub&pWiseSub=I1)
- [Yonhap News: “Making 10 Seoul National Universities” starts with Pusan, Chonnam, and Chungnam national universities](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260901168251530)
- [eToday: Pusan, Chonnam, and Chungnam national universities lead the first round of “Making 10 Seoul National Universities”](https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2620639)
- [YTN: Pusan, Chonnam, and Chungnam national universities designated as flagship universities](https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0103_202609011737130874)
Checked as of 14:14 on September 1, 2026