A statue of Kim Jong-ik, pen name Useok, stands on Jukdobong hill in Suncheon. A major landowner and philanthropist during the Japanese colonial period, he founded the Jeonnam Yukyeonghoe — a South Jeolla education foundation — as well as the institutions that became Suncheon National University, Suncheon High School, Suncheon Girls' High School, and Korea University's College of Medicine.
A statue of Kim Jong-ik, pen name Useok, stands on Jukdobong hill in Suncheon. A major landowner and philanthropist during the Japanese colonial period, he founded the Jeonnam Yukyeonghoe — a South Jeolla education foundation — as well as the institutions that became Suncheon National University, Suncheon High School, Suncheon Girls' High School, and Korea University's College of Medicine.

Suncheon National University announced Wednesday that it has formed a presidential appointment recommendation committee to select its next president, with the panel holding its first meeting at the university's main administration building.

The committee comprises 20 members — 11 professors, five administrative staff, one teaching assistant, one student and two outside figures — and will oversee the presidential election process.

The committee plans to coordinate with the Suncheon branch of the National Election Commission on the election schedule, compile and finalize the voter registry, and organize joint speeches and open debates. The next presidential election is expected to be held around December.

The incumbent, President Lee Byeong-un — the first alumnus to lead the university, elected on Dec. 8, 2022 — is set to complete his term at the end of April next year. Three to four professors are expected to run in the upcoming election.


parkds@heraldcorp.com