South Korea fights academic pedigree hiring bias that ‘turns everyone into losers’

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by David D. LeeFebruary 1, 2026 at 01:00 AM

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short article 1 min

In South Korea, a hiring bias favoring graduates from prestigious universities, particularly those in Seoul, is creating challenges for students from regional universities. Recent graduate Lee Hyun-jun reports feeling discouraged by job postings that prioritize university name, leading him to believe his opportunities are limited due to attending a university outside of Seoul. South Korean universities are informally ranked, with "SKY" universities (Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University) holding the highest prestige. This emphasis on academic pedigree is perceived as a barrier to success for students from less-regarded institutions, regardless of their skills or effort. The bias is prompting concerns about fairness and equal opportunity in the South Korean job market.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Seoul National University 50% Yonsei University 50% Korea University 50% Gwangju 60% Seoul ×570% Lee Hyun-jun ×280% South Korea 90%

Keywords

hiring bias 90% academic pedigree 80% south korea 70% university ranking 70% seoul 60% job market 60% sky universities 50% regional university 50% education 40%