Flagship Korean National Universities


Korean Flagship National Universities had been created by the South Korean government to lead the development of South Korea into a developed country through providing the highest educational institutions nationwide. The Korean government created one flagship national university for each province between 1946 and 1968 when South Korea consisted of eight provinces and two independent cities. Ten Korean Flagship National Universities have been taking roles as the leading national institutes of higher education in South Korea.
Often these universities are told as '지거국', abbreviated word of '거점국립대학교', in various high school student communities.

Universities

The 10 Korean Flagship National Universities consist of:
After Korean independence in 1945, Korean government discussed to establish the flagship national university to provide the highest education in the country to provide the elites to develop the country. Seoul National University and Pusan National University were created in 1946 as fully established two flagship national universities. Korea Maritime University was also created at the same time as a national university. In addition, three regional colleges in Daegu agreed to create a national university in 1946, which is nowadays Kyungpook National University. Korea Maritime University has not been granted the status as a Flagship National University, but Kyungpook National University had been granted the status as a Flagship National University afterwards in 1951.

Characteristics

Most of Korean flagship National universities were created by merging previously existing regional colleges. The year of the establishment refers to the time when schools received the status of a national university by the government.

Medical schools

All ten Korean Flagship National Universities are in possession of medical schools. Seoul National University has the largest medical school in South Korea, followed by Pusan National University, Chonnam National University and Chungnam National University. Among the 10 largest medical schools in South Korea, 6 medical schools belong to Korean Flagship National Universities.
Pusan National University has the one and only graduate school of oriental medicine in South Korea.

Dental schools

Among eleven schools of dental medicine in South Korea, five schools belong to Korean Flagship National Universities. Seoul National University has the largest school of dental medicine in South Korea, followed by Pusan National University.

Veterinary schools

All Korean Flagship National Universities except Pusan National University have Veterinary schools.
Among the 10 veterinary schools in South Korea, 9 veterinary schools belong to Korean Flagship National Universities.
One Veterinary school that doesn't belong to Korean Flagship National Universities is Konkuk University. Konkuk University is the only Private University that has Veterinary school in South Korea.

Traditional Korean medical schools

Among all traditional Korean medical schools, Pusan National University is only one flagship Korean national university which has traditional Korean medical school with the name of "The School of Korean Medicine". Entrance quota of PNU's is 50.

Law schools

All Korean Flagship National Universities except Gyeongsang National University have law schools. Seoul National University has the largest law school in South Korea.
Among the 25 law schools in South Korea, 9 law schools belong to Korean Flagship National Universities.
Flagship universityEntrance quota
Seoul National University150
Pusan National University120
Kyungpook National University120
Chonnam National University120
Chungnam National University100
Chonbuk National University80
Chungbuk National University70
Kangwon National University40
Jeju National University40