International Dormitory 'Baekro International Hall' Reopens After Renovation
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- Writer 커뮤니케이션팀
- 보도일자 2025-04-29
Our university’s international dormitory, Baekro International Hall (International Hall 1), has been reborn as a modern space equipped with the latest security systems and convenience facilities. This renovation is expected to significantly support the university’s efforts to internationalize the campus, aligned with the vision of “Sookmyung to the World, the World to Sookmyung.”
Baekro International Hall, which has been operated exclusively for international students since 1999, had long faced calls for facility upgrades and renovation. In response, a full-scale renovation finally began in March 2024.
The most notable feature of the newly renovated Baekro International Hall is the significant upgrade in safety and convenience facilities. Previously, dormitory access required a combination of fingerprint scans and keys, but with the introduction of S1’s SECOM security system—also used in Myeongjae Hall—entry management has been strengthened. Additionally, CCTV cameras have been installed in common areas such as hallways and kitchens on each floor, making it easier to prevent accidents and deter crime. Now, students can enter and exit the dormitory safely using the “Hey Young” mobile app, eliminating the need to carry a physical key.
Another major change is the standardization of room types: all rooms, previously a mix of two- to four-person units, have been converted into two-person rooms. To improve privacy in shared spaces, each room now features increased personal storage and a central curtain partition between beds. Common facilities include a multipurpose lounge on the first floor and shared kitchens on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th floors. These kitchens are equipped with refrigerators, microwaves, and induction cooktops, allowing for simple cooking as well as small group meals.
All rooms in Baekro International Hall are now equipped with high-speed internet and Wi-Fi, and a small study room on the third floor has been added to enhance both academic and everyday life efficiency. A representative from the Student Residence Office stated, “We focused on ensuring that students live in a comfortable and safe environment by improving heating and cooling systems as well as enhancing security features,” and added, “We hope students leave with high satisfaction from their dormitory experience when they return to their home countries.”
Baekro International Hall will be operated on a trial basis as short-term accommodation for visiting international students from May to mid-August. It is scheduled for full operation starting in the second semester. Meanwhile, Maehwa International Hall (International Hall 2) is set to begin construction in June, with the goal of opening for regular occupancy in the second semester.
Meanwhile, a ceremony to commemorate the reopening of Baekro International Hall was held on Monday, April 28. The reopening event was attended by President Moon Si-yeun, key administration members, and staff involved in the renovation project. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the upgraded facilities.
During the tour, attendees took note of the detailed improvements made throughout the building for student convenience and expressed hopes that similar features would be incorporated into other international residence halls in the future.
President Moon Si-yeon stated, “I hope the newly renovated Baekro International Hall becomes a strong foundation for international students to pursue their dreams, and a small global village where diverse cultures and traditions come together and grow in harmony.”