Research on the Curriculum System and Cultural Dissemination Mechanism of Confucian Education in South Korean Universities — Take Seoul National University, Korea University and Sungkyunkwan University as Examples

Abstract

Confucianism, as the core ideological foundation of the East Asian cultural sphere, has profoundly influenced educational philosophies and cultural traditions across the region since the 6th century BC. As one of the key inheritors of Confucian thought, South Korea has experienced a modern transformation and institutionalized the integration of Confucian principles within its higher education system. This paper focuses on Seoul National University, Korea University, and Sungkyunkwan University to systematically examine their Confucian education programs and teaching mechanisms. It explores the value orientation, curricular content, and dissemination strategies of Confucian culture in Korean universities. The findings reveal that Korean universities have successfully incorporated the classical Confucian spirit into contemporary educational philosophies through program development and institutional frameworks. Their core educational values emphasize moral cultivation, social responsibility, and cultural identity. From a curricular perspective, the study identifies an educational model that takes classical Confucian texts as its foundation while promoting multidisciplinary integration as a distinctive feature. In terms of cultural communication, Korean universities have established multi-level channels for Confucian education-within classrooms, through community engagement, and via international academic exchanges. This innovative approach to Confucian education in Korean higher education offers valuable insights for educational reform in China and for the global promotion of traditional Chinese culture.