Seoul, South Korea – The Supreme Court of South Korea has delivered a final blow to efforts to save the world's only Go (Baduk) department at Myongji University. In a decision announced on November 8th, the court upheld a lower court ruling that allowed the university to proceed with the closure of the department.
Myongji University, which established the Go department in 1997, had sought to close it due to financial difficulties and a decline in the number of Go players. The university announced its plan to discontinue admissions for the Go department starting from the 2025 academic year.
Students, faculty, and Go enthusiasts had filed a lawsuit to block the closure, arguing that it would infringe on their right to education and harm the future of Go in South Korea. However, the lower courts ruled in favor of the university, citing its financial constraints and the need for academic restructuring.
The Supreme Court agreed with the lower courts' decisions, stating that the university's decision to close the department was justified given its financial situation. The court also noted that while the Go department was unique, it could not be considered a compelling reason to prevent the university from making necessary changes to its academic programs.
The closure of the Go department has sparked widespread concern among the Go community in South Korea. Many have argued that the department played a crucial role in promoting the study and development of Go, and its closure will be a significant loss for the country.
A separate constitutional complaint regarding the closure is still pending before the Constitutional Court. However, due to a shortage of judges, the court is unlikely to reach a decision anytime soon.
The closure of the Go department at Myongji University marks the end of an era for Go education in South Korea. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the future of the game in the country.
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