Kookmin University was established in 1946 with the aim of training leaders to rebuild the nation. Meeting that need has been the longstanding vision of Kookmin University.
Deeply rooted in the four founding principles, humanism, nationalism, culturalism, and industrialism, Mr. Kim, Sung Gon emphasized, Kookmin University has grown into a fixture of Korea's academia with 24,000 students enrolled.
Amid the ever-changing academic climate and social changes, with selfless dedication from all members of KMU, we strive to become a globally recognized institute by making a world of academia unique to none other than KMU as well as being bold to the changes and challenges ahead.
Now universities of a knowledge base society have entered into a more severe competition than ever before. KMU is trying to solidify its educational foundation to maintain its role as a leading player by employing three operative goals: attracting outside funding, establishing the standards of reasonable distribution of resources, and building an efficient structural system.
In 1959, Mr. Kim, Sung Gon, founder of the Ssangyong Corporation, took over the Kookmin Foundation and led the university's remarkable developments. His educational philosophy was to bring up leaders who can contribute to the modernization of Korea. Since then, Kookmin University has endeavored to achieve this goal.
Surrounded by the Bukhansan National Park, Kookmin University boasts a clean and green environment complimented by the most up-to-date educational facilities. Currently, Kookmin University consists of 24,000 students, 700 faculty, and 300 staff members with 13 colleges and 13 graduate schools.
Kookmin University is one of the leading private universities in Korea, with 14 various colleges and 14 postgraduate schools. Our university's educational goal is to foster leaders not only for our country but for the world. We do our best to provide students with a global perspective and with opportunities to experience the world academically, culturally, and professionally.
We have established official sisterhood relationships with 371 universities in 55 different countries: With each of these, we exchange students and faculty members, hold academic symposiums, conduct joint research, and share information and materials. We support our faculty members' involvement in international academic activities, including research projects, presentations, symposiums, and seminars, and publishing research papers in foreign journals.
For our students, we provide opportunities to visit foreign countries to study language and culture, participate in professional training programs, and to compete in international competitions. Besides, every student must take an English course from native speaking lecturers in their freshman year. We have welcomed visiting professors and students from our sister universities in the fields of international studies, economics, Chinese language and literature, fashion design, ceramic art, visual communication design, music, and the performing arts.
