Incumbent Presidents of Seoul National University and Korea University Gear Up for Re-election Battles

The race for re-election among the incumbent presidents of Seoul National University and Korea University is heating up as significant figures within the universities announce their candidacies. In response to the substantial administrative advantages held by the incumbents, a number of key university personnel are entering the fray, leading to intense behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Concerns about a 'dark election' have also emerged due to the strict regulations governing re-election campaigns, heightening tensions both on and off campus.
 
According to the education sector on August 2, both Yoo Hong-rim, president of Seoul National University, and Kim Dong-won, president of Korea University, are effectively solidifying their bids for re-election ahead of their terms expiring in January and February of next year. Seoul National University has completed the formation of its presidential candidate recommendation committee, while Korea University is currently engaged in preliminary election activities ahead of its committee formation in October. Both universities are expected to see a multi-candidate race with at least seven to eight contenders.

Yoo, who is expected to challenge for re-election for the first time in nearly 50 years since former president Han Sim-seok, faces competition from various faculty members within the university.
 
According to reports from Aju Economy, candidates being considered include professors Lee Won-woo (Law School), Lee Jae-young (Department of English Language and Literature), Lee Seok-jae (Department of Philosophy), Lee Jun-ho (Department of Life Sciences), Yoo Jae-jun (Department of Physics and Astronomy), Kim Hyun-cheol (Graduate School of International Studies), and Kang Jun-ho (Department of Physical Education), among others, totaling around ten potential candidates.
 
Notably, the candidate recommendation committee, which will evaluate the next president, includes prominent business figures such as Kwon Young-soo, former vice chairman of LG Energy Solution, Song Chi-hyung, chairman of Dunamu, Son Joo-eun, chairman of Megastudy Group, and Lee Soo-jung, CEO of IBM Korea. As the election atmosphere intensifies, the Seoul National University Faculty Council has even established a reporting center for illegal campaign activities.

While the election campaign has surfaced, unexpected institutional issues have arisen due to the interplay of the 'incumbent premium' and election regulations.
 
Im Jeong-mook, president of the Seoul National University Faculty Council, highlighted two main reasons why President Yoo cannot officially declare his candidacy in advance. He explained, "Once the incumbent president registers as a candidate for the next president, their duties are suspended, and an acting president is appointed. Therefore, until the official candidate registration, he cannot publicly state his intention to run for re-election to maintain his responsibilities and position."
 
The 'prohibition on pre-election activities' regulation is also a hindrance. Im noted, "According to the election regulations at Seoul National University, declaring 'I will run for president' before candidate registration could be considered pre-election campaigning. Currently, the Faculty Council is monitoring for such activities, making it impossible for any candidate, including President Yoo, to make a pre-announcement of their candidacy."
 
He expressed concern about the side effects of these regulations, stating, "Due to the prohibition on pre-election activities, it is difficult to confirm whether the president's meetings with faculty or staff are normal academic duties or election-related activities without official attendance. Ultimately, this has led to rampant speculation and rumors."

The situation for President Kim, who is reportedly challenging for re-election for the first time in about 40 years since President Lee Jun-beom, is also challenging.
 
According to Aju Economy, the number of internal candidates challenging Kim has reached at least eight. Expected candidates include Park Jong-hoon (College of Medicine), Ma Dong-hoon (Department of Media), Yoo Byeong-hyun, Jeong Seung-hwan (Law School), Lee Hae-geun (College of Engineering), Kim Se-yong (Department of Architecture), and Kim Jae-wook (Business School), representing a variety of academic fields. Notably, a candidate with experience as the head of a major public institution, Kim Se-yong, who previously served at the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH), is also entering the race, indicating a fierce competition for votes.
 
Ultimately, the key to both universities' elections will be overcoming the 'incumbent premium' and thorough vetting of candidates. The ability of challengers to present innovative long-term visions and address the reform demands of faculty, staff, and students will likely determine the outcome of this multi-candidate election.