The government will loosen its control on state-funded Seoul National University (SNU) from 2011 in order to help enhance its international competitiveness, the government said Tuesday.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the plan had been approved in a Cabinet meeting.
So far, all administrative affairs of the top university have been tightly controlled by the authorities.
Under the plan, however, SNU will gain control in dealing with its overall administrative affairs, including personnel and corporate management and finance.
Its board of directors will be entitled to select candidates for its president. But the final approval will be made by the President, as it is now.
The school will also be allowed to engage in profitable businesses. Despite the loosened control, state subsidies will continue to be given.
"The change will help improve the school's international competitiveness," an education ministry official said. The government plans to loosen control of other state-funded universities for the same purpose, the official said.