The term is widely used in South Korea, both in the media and by the universities themselves.[2][3] Being admitted to one of the SKY universities is frequently seen as important to one's career and social position in the country. [4][5] The acronym also implies that the universities are extremely difficult to get into (i.e., students are reaching for the sky).
1926: Three departments (namely the departments of Law, Medical Sciences, and Human Sciences) of Keijō Imperial University were opened by Japan. These were the first official higher education institution during the colonial period. This university was the only university in Korea at the time due to oppression by Japan. The Japanese government did not approve the establishment of any university except Keijō Imperial University.
1946 August: Seoul National University founded by merging several Japanese institutions of higher education around Seoul, including Keijō Imperial University
In 2010, it was reported that 46.3% of high government officials and 50% of CEOs of major financial industries were graduates of SKY universities.[14] Also, over 60% of the students who passed the 2010 Korean Bar examination were graduates of SKY universities.[15]
Being admitted in one of these universities typically requires students to be within the top 1% of the Korean College Scholastic Ability Test[citation needed].
SKY Castle, a 2018–2019 JTBC Friday-Saturday prime time drama, explores the employment of coordinators by parents who wish their children to enter one of the three colleges, which sometimes does not come without consequences.