Struggling Mokpo National Maritime University seeks merger to turn the tide

Students training to be marine officers at Mokpo National Maritime University go on a training voyage last year. [MOKPO NATIONAL MARITIME UNIVERSITY]

Mokpo National Maritime University is planning to merge with another university as it struggles to attract students amid a population decline.

The university announced Thursday it discussed a potential merger with university officials, gathering ideas about how the merger should take place.

Based on a vote among faculty, students and alumni, 44 percent said they agree on going forth with a merger with Incheon National University. Another 29.93 percent said it wants to merge with Mokpo National University.

The university's College of Maritime Engineering is one of the departments struggling to attract students, failing to meet their student quota in 2023.

Although a merger with Incheon National University got a higher vote, one obstacle is the distance between the two schools.

Mokpo National Maritime University is in Mokpo, South Jeolla, while Incheon National University is in Incheon, over 300 kilometers (186 miles) away.

Despite the long distance, officials at Mokpo National Maritime University say a merger is possible.

Lee Seong-real, a professor at Mokpo National Maritime University, said during a meeting on Wednesday that Incheon National University suggested the merger first. The Incheon-based university hopes to merge so they can offer training for maritime personnel.

Incheon also announced it plans to host a maritime university in January. The city currently has two maritime high schools — Incheon Marine Science High School and Incheon National Maritime High School — but there are no institutions that offer higher education.

Mokpo National University is another option that was discussed during the meeting, but the university is undergoing steps to merge with Jeonnam State University.

The two signed a memorandum of understanding in January to merge by 2025, however, a three-way merger is possible if the universities agree.

Mokpo National Maritime University said it will discuss further plans with faculty and students, finalizing how they will go forth with the merger.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]