In Just 15 Years Since Its Establishment, Talent from 81 Developing Countries, Including Seven International Organizations such as the World Bank and WFP, Has Enrolled

This Year, New Students from Four Countries—Central African Republic, Bhutan, Namibia, and Trinidad and Tobago—Admitted for the First Time

[March 31, 2026]

<Flag Attachment Ceremony for Newly Admitted Students from Four Countries at YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS)>

The global network of the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS) at Yeungnam University (YU), led by President CHOI Oe-chool, has expanded to 81 countries worldwide.

 In March 2026, a total of 29 new students from 20 countries newly joined PSPS, including, for the first time since its establishment, students from four countries—Central African Republic (CAF), Bhutan (BTN), Namibia (NAM), and Trinidad and Tobago (TTO)—who received their certificates of admission.As a result, the cumulative number of countries represented among admitted students increased significantly from 77 to 81. These newly admitted students will systematically acquire Korea’s development experience and know-how based on the Saemaul Undong and Saemaul Studies, and are expected to grow into key experts who will lead the development of their home countries.

Since its establishment in 2011, PSPS has, in just 15 years, attracted young talents from 81 countries, including officials from seven international organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP), drawing global attention.The majority of international students at PSPS come from developing countries, representing a highly distinctive achievement that is difficult to find at any other university worldwide.

Why are developing countries around the world increasingly choosing YU? This is because global attention is being focused on the “Saemaul Undong” and “Saemaul Studies,” which are recognized as UNESCO documentary heritage.“Saemaul Studies” is an indigenous academic discipline of Korea established by Yeungnam University.Professor CHOI Oe-chool, the current President of YU, systematized the Saemaul Undong and Korea’s development experience into an academic discipline, which has been recognized both domestically and internationally. As the founding Dean of PSPS, President CHOI is also credited with laying the foundation for the school’s development.

 In particular, the case of the Central African Republic, which newly admitted students this year, is drawing attention. This is because the student was officially recommended by the government of the Central African Republic to promote the Saemaul Undong in the country. In October 2022, a delegation of 21 high-ranking officials, including minister-level officials dispatched under a special directive from the President of the Central African Republic, visited YU and participated in a two-week special training program to explore localization strategies for the Saemaul Undong. The President of the Central African Republic, who had shown strong interest in the Saemaul Undong, requested the Korean government to provide Saemaul education for senior officials, and the program was conducted by YU’s Institute of International Development Cooperation under the auspices of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). This initiative led the Central African Republic to actively pursue a government-led implementation of the Saemaul Undong. Subsequently, in August 2024 and August 2025, high-ranking officials, university professors, and community leaders from the Central African Republic visited YU again as part of training programs invited by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. This continued academic exchange and strong mutual trust have ultimately led to enrollment in the Master’s program in Saemaul Studies.

 Agossingala Soleil Levant (Department of Saemaul International Development), a former employee of a state-owned enterprise in the Central African Republic who enrolled in March this year, stated, “Many countries look to Korea’s economic prosperity and remarkable development as a role model. I believe this is why developing countries around the world choose PSPS at Yeungnam University.” He added, “I have great expectations for my studies at YU, as I will not only learn Saemaul Studies and Korea’s development experience systematized by the university, but also have the opportunity to study, share knowledge, and build networks with government officials and experts from various fields who have come from all over the world.”

 President CHOI Oe-chool of YU remarked, “Saemaul Studies is an academic discipline that systematizes the content of the Saemaul Undong—policy-driven initiatives rooted in the Hongik Ingan philosophy of benefiting humanity. It goes beyond Korea’s experience of overcoming poverty and serves as a practical development model that enables developing countries to achieve self-sustained growth.” He continued, “The fact that talented individuals from developing countries who once participated in training programs at YU are returning to enroll in full-degree programs demonstrates that Saemaul Studies has firmly established itself as a key educational content for sustainable development across the globe.” He further emphasized, “YU will spare no effort in supporting international students who have internalized the Saemaul spirit—diligence, self-help, cooperation, sharing, service, and creativity—so that they can play pivotal roles not only in the development of their home countries but also in addressing global challenges such as climate change and advancing shared prosperity for future generations.In particular, we will strengthen our educational efforts to help developing countries overcome poverty by developing and integrating curricula that actively utilize artificial intelligence (AI).”

<International Students Enrolled at YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS)>

PSPS has been nurturing international development experts, primarily targeting officials from international organizations, as well as civil servants and public sector professionals from developing countries.A total of 1,096 individuals from 81 countries—including officials from seven international organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP)—have studied at PSPS, contributing to high-level social impact in the international community.  These graduates are actively serving as key policymakers, Saemaul international development experts, and leaders of the Saemaul Undong in central government ministries, public institutions, and international development NGOs around the world. As of March 2026, 158 international students from 29 countries are currently enrolled. On March 30, YU held a flag attachment ceremony for the four newly admitted countries of this year, attended by President CHOI Oe-chool, senior faculty members, and international students.