Starting Nov. 20, South Korean universities may hire some professors working abroad without requiring them to leave those posts, a change intended to strengthen local research capacity, The Korea Herald reported.
The exception covers professors, associate professors and assistant professors currently employed by universities outside South Korea. Qualifying disciplines include artificial intelligence, big data and other advanced industries and emerging technologies. Individual universities may also identify additional fields as areas of institutional specialization. Eligibility is therefore limited to overseas faculty in approved fields, not every candidate seeking a second university post.
The rule is a limited exception, tied to faculty status, eligible fields and the receiving university’s review. Each appointment needs approval from the Korean university’s president. Before that decision, a personnel committee must examine the case for a second post, protection of confidential information, management of research results and intellectual property. It must also consider any effect on teaching, student supervision and academic research.
Private universities are included too. The Private School Act applies public university faculty rules to their private counterparts, the Herald reported.
Lawmakers amended the Educational Public Officials Act earlier this year, creating the exemption. Before that change, public-official rules generally barred university professors from holding posts at two institutions at once. Overseas academics typically had to resign from their existing positions before taking a job at a South Korean university, the report said.
The report described the policy as a way to recruit distinguished scholars from overseas universities and develop talent in emerging technology fields. Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin said he expects the policy to support teaching and scholarship and encourage universities to maintain academic ties with institutions abroad.
The Herald reported the Cabinet approved the revised enforcement decree Tuesday, setting the qualifying fields and the steps institutions must take. The measure takes effect Nov. 20.
