By Lee Hyo-sik
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said university tuition these days is too expensive and has increased too steeply, lending support to student associations and liberal civic groups that have been holding street rallies across the country over the past week to counter such hikes.
But the mayor expressed a negative view toward the idea of slashing college tuition by half, proposed recently by Rep. Hwang Woo-yea, floor leader of the ruling Grand National Party.
Oh posted a message on his blog Saturday that university tuition fees are simply out of control, adding that the costs of college education have increased at a sharp pace each year.
“When both my two daughters were enrolled in university, I struggled financially to pay for their education. Paying for children’s university tuition was really difficult even for me. For the majority of households, I believe it must be a really daunting task,” Oh said.
He posted such messages following recent meetings with students from several universities in Seoul.
But he added, “Nevertheless, is cutting college tuition in half a practical alternative at this point?”
The mayor then said what he needs to do as Seoul mayor is to build more affordable housing units for students and generate decent jobs for them, as well as foster a society in which youths can realize their full potential.
“The city is currently in talks with Kyung Hee University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and University of Seoul to construct dormitories. We are also considering building low-cost housing units for students on city-owned land, particularly in the Seodaemun district in which many universities are located,” Oh said.
Meanwhile, 24 university students who participated in a nighttime rally in downtown Seoul Saturday were taken to a police station on charges of violating laws governing assembly and demonstrations.
Police said they took part in an unannounced street march at 9:30 p.m., adding they did not obey a police order to disperse. The students were taken into police custody after illegally occupying the road. Police said they will decide whether to prosecute them after questioning.