Opposition from Korea National University of Arts to Relocation Proposal
As the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections approach, the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) has publicly opposed ongoing discussions regarding its potential relocation to Gwangju, South Jeolla Province. This move has sparked significant debate among various stakeholders, including students, faculty, and the broader art community.
In a statement released on the 28th, K-Arts emphasized that “art education is not merely the transfer of knowledge within a classroom.” The university highlighted that artistic inspiration and practical capabilities are cultivated through constant interaction with the field, access to professional infrastructure, and the organic integration of the entire art ecosystem. According to the statement, any discussion about relocation that fails to consider these unique aspects could weaken the competitiveness of South Korea’s art education.
The university outlined five key reasons for its opposition:
- The “field-oriented nature” and “network,” which are central to art education, could be weakened.
- Sufficient empathy from students and members, who are the main entities of the university, must be a prerequisite.
- The “establishment of degree programs” and “relocation of the school” are fundamentally separate issues that should be addressed independently.
- It is essential to seriously consider the voices of concern from the art community and civil society.
- The intent of balanced regional development must harmonize with the intrinsic value of art.
K-Arts stated that it will gather opinions from both internal and external members to devise practical countermeasures. The university emphasized that what is needed now is not the relocation of the school, but substantial support to enhance the educational environment so students can reach a broader world and strengthen ties with the art field. It urged lawmakers to listen to and respect the voices of the educational institution before unilaterally pushing forward with this proposal.
Legislative Proposal and Public Reaction
Earlier, Democratic Party of Korea Representative Jeong Joon-ho proposed the ‘Act on the Establishment and Operation of K-Arts’ on the 22nd. The bill includes provisions to relocate K-Arts to the integrated special city of South Jeolla-Gwangju and establish a graduate school allowing students who complete the professional arts program to earn master’s and doctoral degrees.
Representative Jeong and eight other lawmakers from Gwangju held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Center on the 23rd to announce this stance. They stated, “Relocating K-Arts to a provincial area will achieve balanced development of national art education and revitalize the regional culture and arts industry.” They pledged to attract K-Arts to Gwangju, the “city of arts,” arguing that relocating the institution would decentralize cultural infrastructure concentrated in the capital region and serve as a hub for establishing an Asian cultural hub city.
However, upon hearing about the bill’s proposal, the K-Arts Student Council expressed strong opposition. In a statement released on the 23rd, the council criticized, “This claim was pushed forward without any consideration for students or prior notice.” It added, “The bill treats the school as a relocatable entity based on political needs, disregarding the essence of educational institutions and students’ right to learn.” The council further stated, “Culture and arts are not tools to be used for political purposes at any time,” and emphasized that lawmakers and bill proposers need to deeply understand why school members oppose relocation to non-capital regions.
Background and Significance of K-Arts
K-Arts is a national special-purpose art educational institution established in 1993 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to nurture art talents. With six colleges—music, theater, film, dance, fine arts, and traditional arts—it boasts the highest level of art education competitiveness in the country.
K-Arts has been one of the institutions mentioned as a potential relocation target by some local governments and local election candidates during the government’s discussions on the “Second Relocation of Public Institutions to Provincial Areas.” Democratic Party of Korea Gyeonggi Governor candidate Choo Mi-ae also announced on the 1st that she would attract K-Arts to the Gyeonggi region to create an art-technology-education convergence cluster. Candidates from the same party, including Sejong Mayor candidate Jo Sang-ho and Hanam Mayor candidate Kang Byeong-deok, also pledged to attract K-Arts, and Seoul’s Songpa District and Gyeonggi’s Gwacheon City actively joined the effort.
