The Flagship National Universities (Korea NU 10, Korean: 거점국립대학교, Hanja: 據點國立大學校, literally: national universities designed as provincial centres) is a collective term referring to ten universities in South Korea that have joined the "Presidential Council of the Korean Flagship National Universities".

Often these universities (mainly these all flagship Korean national universities including Seoul National University) are told as Korean: '거점국립대', abbreviated word of Korean: '거점국립대학교', in various high school student communities.

Universities

The 10 Korean Flagship National Universities consist of:

• Chonnam National University, founded 1952 in Gwangju for the area of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province
• Chungbuk National University, founded 1951 in Cheongju for the area of North Chungcheong Province
• Chungnam National University, founded 1952 in Daejeon for the area of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province and since 2007 also Sejong City
• Gyeongsang National University, founded 1910 in Jinju for the area of South Gyeongsang Province and Ulsan
• Jeju National University, founded 1952 in Jeju City for the area of Jeju Province
• Jeonbuk National University, founded 1947 in Jeonju for the area of North Jeolla Province
• Kangwon National University, founded 1947 in Chuncheon for the area of Gangwon Province
• Pusan National University, founded 1946 in Busan for the area of Busan and South Gyeongsang Province
• Kyungpook National University, founded 1946 in Daegu for the area of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province
• Seoul National University, founded 1946 in Seoul for the area of Seoul.

History

In the past, the term of Korean flagship National university was just used as a local national university because until 1991, there were only 10 national universities. "The Presidential Council of the Korean Flagship National Universities" was originally established in 1996 as the "Council of Five National Universities". It consisted of Kyungpook National University, Pusan National University, Chonnam National University, Jeonbuk National University, and Chungnam National University. Kangwon National University, Gyeongsang National University, Seoul National University, Jeju National University, and Chungbuk National University later joined.

Characteristics

Most of Korean flagship National universities were created by merging previously existing regional colleges. After National Liberation, national universities in the central areas of capital, metropolitan cities and provinces have joined. Compared to other universities, Flagship National University tends to have departments that produce the professions needed by the local community. Because Flagship National Universities are generally the oldest schools within a region, they are often the largest, well-financed, low tuition, and are preferred by students compared to local private universities.

Collaborations

Flagship National University has an exchange agreement with each other. Exchange students can go to regular and seasonal semesters, and online credit exchange is also possible. A sports competition is also held every year. It also publishes the flagship National University newsletter.