Korea University was born as “Bosung College” in 1905. With a Royal grant from Emperor Gojong, Lee Yong-ik (Chungsukgong, 1854-1907), Treasurer of the Royal Household, established the school under the banner, “Education Saves the Country.”
Amid financial hardship caused by Japanese repression and the Great Depression, Kim Seong-su(pen-name Inchon, 1891-1955) took over Bosung College and laid the foundation on which Korea University would arise. He aspired to build a genuine national university in response to the public schools. Following national liberation in 1945, the college was elevated to the status of a university in 1946 and was renamed Korea University. Throughout the modern history of the Republic of Korea, Korea University has stood as a symbol of the spirit of resistance, manifesting the conscience of the nation and critical intelligence.
In 1971, the Korea University Foundation acquired Woosuk University and incorporated its College of Medicine and affiliated hospital. In 1980, the Sejong Campus was constructed in Sejong Special Autonomous City, reflecting the continued advancement of the University.
Furthermore, Korea University has made significant strides in becoming a global leader, such as establishing the School of Life Science and Biotechnology and the Graduate School of International Studies. By 2005, KU had strengthened its international presence through partnerships and academic exchanges with over 850 institutions. Today, Korea University continues to expand its global recognition and research capabilities.
The symbol of Bosung College in 1905
Founding of Bosung College
Established as Korea’s first private college, Bosung College opened to promote academic excellence and national growth.
Court records from criminal trials related to the March 1 independence movement of 1919
March 1 independence movement
Bosung College played a leading role in Korea’s independence movement. Many students and faculty were imprisoned, leaving a legacy of sacrifice and patriotism.
Korea University's main building in 1934
Relocation to Anam-dong
University relocated to its current Anam-dong site in Seongbuk District, Seoul, building a campus spanning 198,348 square meters along with its iconic main building.
Official approval document of Korea University issued in 1946
Official recognition as Korea University
A year after liberation, Bosung College was elevated to a comprehensive university and renamed Korea University with official approval from the U.S. Military Government’s education bureau.
Korea University students march against authoritarian rule in 1960.
April 18 student protest
On April 18, 1960, more than 3,000 Korea University students marched against authoritarian rule. Their protest sparked the April 19 Revolution, a pivotal democratic movement in modern Korean history.
Korea University’s Sejong Campus officially opened in March 1980.
Sejong Campus established
Following Ministry of Education approval in 1979, the Sejong Campus officially opened in March with its first cohort of students.
Korea University holds its 100th anniversary ceremony in 2005.
100th anniversary
Marking its 100th anniversary, Korea University launched the Global KU Project, envisioning its transformation from a national symbol into a globally recognized institution.
A blueprint of the new central plaza at the Natural Sciences Campus, envisioned as a landmark commemorating Korea University’s 120th anniversary Courtesy of Korea University
120th anniversary
Korea University unveiled its plans to build an innovative knowledge ecosystem and nurture experts to shape the next generation of society, grounded in its 120-year legacy.
Korea University’s Educational Objective: Nurturing talents necessary for the development of the nation and human society
Build character, nurture a capacity for theory and abstraction, and contribute to the nation and human society
Korea University’s Educational Objective: Nurturing talents necessary for the development of the nation and human society
Build character, nurture a capacity for theory and abstraction, and contribute to the nation and human society
Korea University consists of the Seoul Campus (in Seoul, 946,177㎡), Sejong Campus (in Sejong Special Self-Governing City, 425,130㎡) and three auxiliary hospitals (Anam Hospital: Seongbuk-district in Seoul, 43,391㎡, Guro Hospital: Guro-district in Seoul, 38,613㎡, Ansan Hospital: Ansan-city in Gyeonggi Province, 46,916㎡).
The total number of students is 38,452, including 31,130 on the Seoul Campus (Undergraduate: 21,029, Graduate: 10,101) and 7,322 on the Sejong Campus (Undergraduate: 6,462, Graduate: 860). Among the Seoul Campus students, 2,990 (14.22%) are international students. The total number of international students in language, exchange and training programs stands at 1,951. (As of the spring semester of the 2024 academic year)
Below is the general map of the Seoul Campus.
Below is the map of the Main Campus, where our main venue SK Future Hall is located.
이미지 출처: https://winter2.korea.ac.kr/winter/campus/map.do
With its stately stone architecture sprawling lawns, seasonal trees and natural flora, Korea University is known to be one of the most beautiful campuses in South Korea.
Number 8, SK Future Hall will be the main venue of the K-CLUB World Conference.
SK Future Hall is a new building that was completed in November 2019. The building encompasses a total gross floor area of 27,371 square meters and it consists of 2 underground levels and 5 floors above ground, including a rooftop garden.
It houses a wide range of facilities, including 106 Labs and Group study rooms, 113 carol rooms for individual study, as well as various communal spaces such as the Hana Plaza, a multipurpose Hall, Agora, lounges, an ICT experience zone, sleeping rooms, and other amenities designed to support academic and social engagement.
