Sogang University

History

Beginnings

In 1948, Pope Pius XII entrusted the task to establish a Catholic institution of higher education to the Society of Jesus. In October 1954 Jesuit Fr. Theodore Geppert, S.J. from Sophia University of Tokyo came to Korea in search of a suitable site to establish a Jesuit college. In February 1955 Jean-Baptiste Janssens, S.J., the twenty-seventh Superior General of the Society of Jesus, assigned the task of establishing the college to the Wisconsin Province of Jesuits. Fr. Leo Burns, SJ, Superior of the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus, came to Korea and, with the Korean Catholic hierarchy, began negotiations with the Syngman Rhee government for the establishment of a liberal arts college. In January 1957 the Society of Jesus purchased a property of 67,075 pyong (217,323 sq. meters, 53 acres) at Nogosan-dong, Sinsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. The site was prepared for construction of an Administration Building, which was completed in November 1959. Sogang College was opened in 1960 and was granted research university status in 1970.

Development

In February 1970, Complex of Mary Hall was opened on the territory of the university, which was granted the status of a research university the same year. Mary Hall became the first university theatre of South Korea. The 10th anniversary of the university, which was held on April 18 and attended by cardinal Kim Soo-hwan, was hosted on the grounds of the complex. In December 1973, the establishment of Loyola Library, which was the first library of its kind in Korea to have a fully open system as well as a reference inquiry system took place. The library has over 1,000,000 books and 6,000 kinds of periodicals, over 40,000 reference materials, various kinds of microforms, audio visual materials and various kinds of digital materials. The same year, the Department of Diplomacy was opened, alongside an opening of a doctoral program in graduate school.

In October 1980, the university opened its gymnasium for usage. The gym has a total floor area of 5,632 m2 and can accommodate about 3,500 spectators. It has volleyball and basketball courts, 3 teaching rooms, an office, a classroom, 14 student clubs, and 3 table tennis courts. In March 1981, the departments of Business Administration, International Trade, and Accounting were integrated into the Department of Business Administration. Department of Diplomacy would change its name to the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy. The establishment of the departments of French Language and Literature, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Computer Science also took place. The 1979 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mother Teresa visited Sogang in May 1981 and gave addresses in the auditorium and at the basketball court, appealing for all to practice a charity that is universal. In 1984, the Korean Catholic Church celebrated its bicentennial. For the celebration, Pope John Paul II visited Korea on May 5, meeting with priests along with men and women religious in the gymnasium and with Korean intellectuals in the auditorium.

In April 1990, the university unveiled its new symbol, Albtaross Tower, located near the main gate of the campus. Albatross, is named after the bird of the same name, and is shaped in the image of the first two letter of Sogang written in Hangul, "ㅅ" and "ㄱ." The design of the tower was made by the alumni association, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Sogang University. The words "Obedire Veritati", which serve as the official motto of Sogang, can be seen on the lower central part of the tower. November 1994 saw the opening of the second student center, Emmaus Hall. Its name, Emmaus, comes from the name of the town located approximately 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Jerusalem, which has significant meaning as the place for meeting Jesus. Its name is also mentioned in Gospel of Luke, at Luke (24:13-35).

Campus

Campus of Sogang University is located in Mapo District of the capital city of South Korea, Seoul, at 35 Baekbeom-ro. Its positioned in Sinchon, an area of Seoul which is known for its high concentration of universities. The campus is located in three administrative districts of Mapo-gu: Nogosan-dong, Daeheung-dong, and Sinsu-dong. It has a total area of 59.6 acres, or approximately 242,091 square meters. The area of the campus is home to 36 buildings, which includes restaurants, plazas, halls, students centers etc. These include buildings such as the Administration Building, Arrupe Hall, Gonzaga Hall, Berchmans Woojung Hall, Geppert-Nam Duck Woo Hall, and many more. Sogang University station is also present within walking distance of the university, serving as a major access point for the university students to reach the campus.

Campus facilities

Located on a hill, Loyola Library was established in 1973, with a total area of 13,901 square meters. It became the first university library in Korea to include a reference inquiry system, as well as an automated loan and return operations system. Its second building was completed in 1982, followed up by the construction of a third building in 1997. In 2010, the library opened a U-dream Hall, a complex space for exhibitions and events. As part of the Sinchon University exchange agreement, students of Soganag University are able to enter the Yonsei University Central Library, Ewha Women's University Central Library, and Hongik University Central Library by presenting their Sogang University student ID.

Name of the place comes from Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, also known as Aloysius de Gonzaga. He became the member of Society of Jesus in 1585, and was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII on December 31, 1726. He was also named "Patron of all Christian youth" by Pope Pius XI in 1926. The underground campus of the Hall, known as Gonzaga Plaza, was finished on August 25, 2008. It consists of 3 basement floors and a ground floor, with a total area of 1,912 square meters. Total size of Gonzaga Hall is 6,734 square meters. The campus also features a parking facility for 585 cars, restaurants, a convenience store, coffee shops, a food court and more. The parking facility has an entrance and exit control management system, which is able to record and store data of the total number of cars entering the campus.

Matthew Hall was completed in August 2001. It is named after Saint Matthew, a Christian evangelist, tax collector, and an apostle from the Roman Empire. He was also one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. Matthew the Apostle is also known as the author of the first Gospel of the New Testament. He preached the message of God, and was martyred in Ethiopia. With a total floor area of 16,246 square meters, it houses the Faculty of Business Administration, Graduate School, and Graduate School of Business Administration. Matthew Hall is facilitated with air conditioning and heating systems. The building also includes a library of latest style, alongside a video conference room accompanied by a wide reception hall for international conferences.Arrupe Hall was named after Pedro Arrupe, 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, who was also known as "Second Ignatius", a refounder of the Society in light of the Second Vatican Council, which was a name given to him by a fellow friend and advisor, Jesuit Vincent O'Keefe. The hall was completed in October 2002. It consists of a basement floor, 11 ground floors with a total area of 8,462 square meters, an Admissions Office, University Museum, Institute for International Culture & Education, Alumni Association, a bank, a wedding hall, and a restaurant.

Organization

Colleges and academic programs

College of Humanities: Korean Language and Literature, Division of English, History, European Languages and Cultures, German Culture, French Culture, Chinese Culture, Japanese Culture, Philosophy, Religious Studies

College of Social Sciences: Sociology, Psychology, Political Science

College of Integrated Knowledge: Global Korean Studies, Art & Technology

College of Media, Arts, and Science: Journalism and Strategic Communication, Media & Entertainment, Art & Technology, Global Korean Studies

College of Communication: Communications

College of Natural Sciences: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Life Sciences

College of Engineering: Electronic Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, System Semiconductor Engineering

College of Economics: Economics

Sogang Business School: Business Administration

Loyola International College: Division of Global Korean Studies, Geppert School of International Studies, Division of Global Interdisciplinary Studies

Graduate School

Professional Graduate Schools: Graduate School of Theology, Graduate School of International Studies, Graduate School of Metaverse, Sogang Business School, Sogang Law School, Graduate School of MOT(Management of Technology)

Special Graduate Schools: Graduate School of Public Policy, Graduate School of Education, Graduate School of Economics, Graduate School of Media & Communication, Graduate School of Information & Technology

Sogang Business School

In October 2009, Sogang University received accreditation in business from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) to establish the university's very first business school. Sogang Business School ranks among the nation's top five business schools. Located near Seoul's Financial District, alumni from the school have received the highest job-landing ratio for undergraduates among universities in South Korea in 2006, 2007 and 2008: the percentages of employment in major companies measured by the Ministry of Education were 55.1%, 53.3% and 54.9% respectively for these years.

Sogang School of Economics

The university has contributed significantly to the rapid economic growth of South Korea since the 1960s. Faculty members linked with Sogang have been deeply involved in shaping the country's future economic development model spearheaded through the top-level cabinet positions in the government by laying the groundwork of South Korea's rapid economic growth of South Korea. Due to these important engagements, a group of economists associated with the university and engaged in economic policy-making came to be called the "Sogang School." Based on its reputation, the institution has consistently drawn and attracted young talent of the highest intellectual caliber from around the country, mostly among applicants who scored in the top 1 percent threshold of the national college entrance examination. Sogang's economics department has been recognized as one of the foremost in South Korea based on international scholarly journal publications.

Academics

Admissions

Admission to Sogang University is highly selective and nationally competitive. Sogang's freshman intake belongs to the top 1% of their high school academic performance in the country, as the university is widely regarded as one of the top private universities in addition to being one of the most prestigious elite schools in the country. However, the university's global ranking lags behind its esteemed national reputation and evaluation results because the institution has no medical school and fewer students enrolled compared to some other major Korean universities of a similar national rank.

Rankings

Sogang University was ranked 8th nationwide by the JoongAng Ilbo 2025 University Rankings, and 17th by QS World University Rankings. It was ranked 558th in the world in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. It was placed in the 801–1000 band in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. In the 2025-26 U.S. News Best Global Universities, it ranked 582 in Asia.

The Sogang University Business School received AACSB accreditation in 2009. Its law school has been ranked among the top 100 globally by U.S. News and in the top 150–200 range by QS and THE. Domestically, it has ranked 6th among Korean law schools.

Sogang Institute for Whole Person Education

Sogang Institute for Whole Person Education is in charge of liberal arts education at Sogang University. It started as the General Education Department in 1977. It was reorganized into the Department of Liberal Arts in 1988, the College of Liberal Arts in 2004, Center for Basic Education in 2011, and Sogang Institute for Whole Person Education in 2015. It operated several centers under its jurisdiction, and helps with research and development of various programs for teaching and learning.

Sogang Center for Writing was established to help improve and enhance writing skills of Sogang University Students. It offers various writing training programs, and integrates them into liberal arts courses, while also developing further creative writing programs. Sogang University has integrated the book review system into its Korean language courses a long time ago, which encouraged students to read many literary works while also expressing their opinions in writing. Sogang Center for Writing takes the system a step further to systematically educate and improve Sogang University's students writing skills.

Sogang Institute for Convergence Education

Sogang Institute for Convergence Education was established to provide creative, interdisciplinary, convergence education to the students of the university.

Sogang Korean Language Education Center

Sogang Korean Language Education Center (Sogang KLEC) was established in 1990 with the goal of popularizing and spreading the Korean language and Korean culture throughout the world. It provides regular, online, evening, summer special, and customized courses. Individuals from 70 to 80 countries are using Korean as an official language in order to exchange ideas at the program. Due to the various background and ethnic make up of the students at Sogang KLEC, the program developed the Sogang Korean Language Teaching Method, which was created in the process of finding the best way for foreigners with no knowledge of Korean to communicate in the most natural way possible. Sogang Korean textbook helped the education center stand out among other Korean language programs. The book itself features dynamic classes from the KLEC's classroom.

Since its establishment, over 30,000 students from overseas have learned about Korean culture and language by participating in its programs. Currently, an average of 3,500 students register for the Korean Language Education Center every year.

Student life

Traditions

The Sunrise Festival is an event where students celebrate the beginning of a new school life, similar to how sun rises. Students usually take exams, and have drinks with partners or friends who they have worked hard with. One of the activities that students also partake in is throwing each other into the fountain of Albatross Tower.

May Daedongje, as it says in its name, takes place in May, when the weather gets warmer. As summer holidays come closer, Sogang university launches the festival in order to help students rest and prepare for the upcoming summer. Singers and idol groups can be seen performing at the Youth Plaza, while open daily pubs open throughout the campus around the same time as well.

NEW SOFEX (Sogang-Sophia Festival of Exchange), also known as just SOFEX before 2018, is the first regular international university sports competition in Korea, where Sogang University faces off against Sophia University in Japan, from where Jesuit Fr. Theodore Geppert, S.J. came during the founding days of the university. During the competition, students of both institutions create connections, make friendships, and share culture.

The Chuseok Homecoming Group is an event that arranges express buses to major cities across the country to help university students reach their homes at a cheaper price in comparison to regular busses. Chuseok is one of the biggest holidays in Korea. It is an annual autumn holiday, where people spend time at home, close to their family members and loved ones, and that also includes students. Using the Chuseok Homecoming Group, students whose family's primary place of residence is located outside of Seoul Capital Area, or in areas far away from Sinchon, are able to reduce travel costs significantly.

Clubs

General Student Association, also known as Sogang Dongyeon, is responsible for forstering university culture as well as providing its students with various activities. It collects and carries out the opinions and demands of all club members, ensuring that students are left satisfied with the work of the council, while also helping all members of the association grow and develop themselves. Goal of the student council is to contribute to the cultural and welfare activities of Sogang University students, making the institution a better place, and offering students a rich university experience.

Student clubs are classified into six different categories: the volunteer division, social education, performing arts, religious division, sports, and academic. Each student club within the classified division is equally unique, with many representing a specific part of the category.

University symbol and slogan

The cardinal red university color symbolizes love, the Holy Spirit, martyrdom, loyalty, and victory. The silver chevron comes from the first letter 'ㅅ' of 서강 (Sogang), representing the intellectual spirit of Sogang and an ivory tower. The "IHS" comes from the first letters of the Greek name Ιησους (ΙΗΣΟΥΣ) for Jesus and is also found on the seal of the Society of Jesus, the Catholic religious order that founded the university. The medieval crown stands for the Virgin and Trinity, symbolizing wisdom. Sogang University also has a famous slogan which is: Be as Proud of Sogang as Sogang is Proud of You (Korean: 그대 서강의 자랑이듯, 서강 그대의 자랑이어라).

Notable alumni and faculty

Alumni

Park Geun-hye, 11th president of the Republic of Korea

Park Young-sun, minister of SMEs and startups (2019–present); former member of the National Assembly (2008–2020)

Suh Byung-soo, member of the National Assembly; former mayor of Busan (2014–2018)

Kim Young-joo, member of the National Assembly; former minister of employment and labor (2017–2018)

Lee Hae-sik, member of the National Assembly

Yang Yiwonyoung, member of the National Assembly

Cheong Yang-seog, former member of the National Assembly (2016–2020)

Kim Tae-young, former minister of national defense (2009–2010)

Jeon Yeo-ok, former member of the National Assembly (2012)

Choi Soon-hong, former United Nations chief information technology officer

Kwon Hyuk-bin, founder & CEO, Smilegate Holdings

Kim Suk-won, former chairman of SsangYong Group

Lee Bae-yong, former president of Ewha Womans University (2006–2010)

Yoon Min-joong, chemist

Kim Gyung-hwan, former professor of economics, former first vice minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Cho Jang-ok, former professor of economics, member of The National Academy of Sciences of Korea

Notable faculty

Choe Yun, professor of French literature

Almas Heshmati, professor of economics

Yoon Kyung-byung, professor of chemistry

Brother Anthony, emeritus of English literature

Yoon Nung-min, former professor of chemistry

Lee Ki-baek, former professor of history

Nam Duck-woo, former professor of economics, former prime minister of South Korea

Chang Young-hee, professor of English literature, columnist, motivational writer

Kim Chong-in, former professor of economics; former member of the National Assembly

Sohn Hak-kyu, former professor of political science; former governor of Gyeonggi Province, former minister of health and welfare; former member of National Assembly

Cho Yoon-je, former professor of international studies; former South Korean ambassador to the United States