Chungbuk National University and Korea National University of Transportation in South Korea have officially signed an agreement to merge and submitted the merger application to the Ministry of Education. This integration aims to establish a unified university by March next year, with the necessary changes to the institutional regulations and implementation plans being prepared. The signing ceremony took place on the morning of the 19th at the Korea National University of Transportation campus in Chungju, where university leaders expressed their commitment to advancing higher education innovation in the Chungcheong region.

The signed agreement outlines the principles and direction for the merger, focusing on balanced campus development and strategies for national balanced development. The plans for the merged institution include establishing a new administrative organization and academic structure that complies with national university merger guidelines. The Ministry of Education plans to convene a merger review committee next month to decide on the approval of the merger, which has already generated significant interest due to the combination of a regional university and a national-centered university.

Despite initial resistance, particularly from Chungbuk National University's community, which had shown a majority opposition in votes held last year, both institutions have worked through key disputes related to governance and other issues. Recent votes, especially a revote conducted by Chungbuk National University, indicated a more favorable view from faculty and staff, while student opposition remains. This merger is part of an initiative to specialize in future-oriented regional industries and has been selected for the Glocal University 30 Project, emphasizing its significance for regional development in South Korea.