(EDITORIAL from The Korea Times on Aug. 27)

The Korea Times editorial on August 27 lamented the imminent closure of the Stanford Center Korea, a global campus in Incheon that received significant taxpayer funds. Established in June 2021, the center housed research projects focusing on smart cities, urban technology, sustainability, healthcare, and social equity. Despite its closure, the center's international collaborations with foreign educational institutions, such as SUNY Korea and the University of Utah, are expected to persist.

However, Stanford University retains intellectual property rights from its research activities under the agreement with Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ). The center's closure coincides with U.S. universities facing budget cuts under the Trump administration, raising questions about IFEZ's partnership management with foreign entities.

In 2023, the trade ministry reduced the center's annual subsidy by 10% following a performance assessment, which Stanford protested. IFEZ later revised the agreement to offset the cut. Critics argue that public funds should be allocated more responsibly and that clearer guidelines are needed for financial assistance, intellectual property, and research outcomes in such partnerships.