SNU announces initial candidates for next president

Twelve candidates, including incumbent Seoul National University (SNU) President Ryu Hong-lim, have applied to become the next SNU president.

According to an announcement from the university’s President Recommendation Committee posted on the school’s portal on Friday, the candidates are, in alphabetical order, Cha Sang-kyun, a specially appointed professor at the Graduate School of Data Science; Chang Pahn-shick, a professor at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Choi Hae-cheon, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering; Choi Man-soo, an emeritus professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering; Kang Joon-ho, a professor in the Department of Physical Education; Kim Hyun-chul, a professor at the Graduate School of International Studies; Lee Jae-young, a professor in the Department of English Language and Literature; Lee Jun-ho, a professor at the School of Biological Sciences; Lee Suk-jae, a professor in the Department of Philosophy; Lee Won-woo, a professor at the School of Law; Ryu Hong-lim, the incumbent president; and Yoo Jae-jun, a professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy.

The committee will review the candidates’ documents and shorten the list if any are ineligible by Aug. 31.

If elected, Ryu would become the first SNU president in 52 years to serve two consecutive terms.

Under regulations revised by the committee in 2023, an incumbent president who runs for a second term is not required to step down during the election process. However, Ryu’s deputy will serve as acting president from Sept. 1, the day after the list is confirmed.

On Sept. 9, the candidates will submit documents, including their development plans, to the committee and conduct a 20-minute presentation on their potential presidency, followed by 20 minutes of questions and answers. The committee will select four preliminary candidates — up to five if a subcommittee recommends doing so.

The committee comprises 30 members from inside and outside the university, including one student.

In the next stage of the selection process, the preliminary candidates will present their policies on Sept. 17 and 22 at the Yeongeon and Gwanak campuses, respectively. Faculty members and students will then evaluate their policies in October, after which three candidates will be selected.

The university’s board of trustees will vote to choose the final nominee.

The final nominee will receive a formal recommendation from the education minister and be officially appointed by the president of Korea. The newly selected SNU president will officially begin a four-year term in February 2027.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [[email protected]]