Don't abolish the department of Baduk (Go) Studies at Myongji University

In the process of integrating Myongji University and its sister affiliate, Myongji Junior College, a restructuring plan was proposed on December 1, 2022, which seeks to abolish the Department of Baduk Studies.

The department, the first in the world, was established at Myongji University in 1997, drawing great attention both at home and abroad. Since its inception, it has produced numerous distinguished alumni who are active in the fields of the Baduk media, education, and competitive tournaments. Dozens of master's and doctoral theses, as well as books, have also been published.

As it stands now, the Baduk department is more widely known abroad than in Korea, and as many as 85 students from 25 different countries in Asia, Europe, and the Americas have pursued its B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. courses. Furthermore, 70 active professional Baduk players graduated from this department, and hundreds of our graduates are working in Baduk organizations, Baduk media and game companies, in Baduk schools and after-school Baduk programs not only in Korea but also in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. In fact, the department is one of the core backbones of the Korean Baduk world because it trains human resources for Baduk education, marketing, administration, and various auxiliary industries.

As for the reasons for abolishing the department, Myongji University claims that Baduk is a declining industry because the Korean adult Baduk population decreased from 26% to 23%, and only 9% of the population aged 20-35 plays Baduk. However, the Baduk department faculty believes that a hobby enjoyed by 23% of the population is by no means a declining industry. Furthermore, the Baduk population of children and teenagers has increased compared to the past because 95% of Korean adults believe that learning Baduk is beneficial for children's development. However, Myongji University discounts these facts and insists that Baduk has no future.

If the department of Baduk Studies is abolished per the current proposal, the last freshmen will enter the Baduk department in the spring of 2024. This is a great shock to many students who have been preparing for many years to enter the department, and it is expected that the international Baduk world as well as the Korean Baduk world will be hit hard.