By Kang Hyun-kyung
Sohn Hak-kyu, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), Tuesday pledged to push plans to cut college tuition by 50 percent from next year.
If adopted, all college students will benefit from slashed tuition. It will be an uphill battle for the DP initiative to be realized because universities reportedly remain unwilling to cooperate.
The newly announced plan was modified from the DP’s early position on key issues. According to the old plan, only students from low-income families would have been eligible for the lower tuition.
On Tuesday, the DP proposed the formation of a bipartisan body to discuss ways for cutting college tuition. The ruling Grand National Party, university authorities, students and parents were invited to join the body.
Sohn said the DP would push for the gradual implementation of a 50-percent tuition beginning the second half of this year.
The initiative came amid sweeping protests calling for cutting tuition fees. Students have taken to the streets, urging university authorities to lower tuition.
Some lawmakers, including Rep. Chung Dong-young, called for free college education at state universities. Chung argued that the government should raise its education budget to finance free education at state universities.
Other DP lawmakers have been demanding that all colleges should provide tuition-free education in the future.
The calls for lowering college tuition have been gripping campuses recently with some students and activists staging candle-light vigils.