Integrating Religion and Education through Institutional Missions: A Comparative Study of Yonsei and Dongguk Universities as Religiously Affiliated Institutions in South Korea

This study examines the relationship between religion and education in South Korea by investigating how religiously affiliated private educational institutions integrate their institutional missions into educational frameworks. Building upon our previous analysis of Dongguk University as a Buddhist-affiliated institution, we focus on Yonsei University, an institution affiliated with Protestant Christian denominations. By analyzing Yonsei University and comparing it to Dongguk University, we illustrate the distinctive approaches these institutions use to manifest their institutional missions. Here, the distinct religious natures in these institutions serve as a critical lens, spotlighting the vital roles of institutional missions in shaping educational goals, aspirations, and curricula. Our in-depth analysis elicits one critical point: it is imperative to recognize that the very essence of how Yonsei and Dongguk Universities articulate their institutional missions is predicated fundamentally on their general education curricula. With this point, this study illuminates the characteristics of religiously affiliated private educational institutions that underscore the crucial functions of institutional missions. These characteristics elucidate both the distinctive aspects of religiously affiliated institutions and the multifaceted functions of institutional missions within broader educational contexts, thereby offering critical insights into the crucial roles of religion and their future implications for education in South Korea.