Following the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919 which called for the end of Japanese colonization, the Presbyterian Church of Korea understood the need for a higher education institution for women based on Christian values. At the 12th General Assembly in 1923, a resolution was enacted to establish Seoul Women's University. However, due to the oppressive nature of colonial rule, the establishment of the institution was thwarted.

With the country successfully liberalized from colonization and a new nation established, the founding of Seoul Women's University was finally approved in December 1960. It opened its doors for the first time a few months later in April 1961. Since that day, it has existed proudly as an educational institute in South Korea.

Christianity was introduced to Korea at the end of the 19th century. Through the hard work and dedication of missionaries, it quickly became popular among progressive intellectuals, young people, and modern women, all of whom were concerned about the fate of the nation. The March 1st Movement was spearheaded by a number of Christian men and women and this greatly contributed to the awakening of social consciousness among the people of the country, particularly the women.

The establishment of Seoul Women's University can be understood in this way, born of the relationship between Christianity and women in a nation and people seeking freedom and independence. The spread of the church gospel arrived at a much needed time, helping provide a university dedicated to women's higher education, contributing to social development, awakening the national consciousness, and helping create higher living standards for all members of Korea.

The 38 years that passed between the decision at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church to establish the university in 1923 to the eventual opening of the doors in 1961 illustrates the turbulent and difficult times in which the university came to exist. The suffering experienced by people under the Japanese colonial rule, the chaos witnessed after liberation, and the heartbreaking tragedy of the Korean War tore at the very fabric of the nation and charged the people with the responsibility to solve a great many political and social problems.

The active participation of women in society as well as the establishment of a women's higher education institution for this purpose were seen as urgent and necessary tasks. The demands of the times when establishing the university became the basis for the university's educational ideology and the birthplace of practical life education. This was particularly emphasized by the Christian educational philosophy and pioneering leadership spirit of Dr. Hwang-kyung Ko, the first president of the university.

① The Demand for Women’s Participation
The modern world is one in which women can contribute. They are seen as active and essential members of society. Their roles no longer limited to, or exclusively seen as, being part of the home.
University education, therefore, should reflect this. It must actively respond to the socio-cultural circumstances and, in doing so, train women as future leaders capable of fostering and directing social development. In being fully rounded characters, university must also help realize each individual’s personality as well as understand their role in family and society.

② The Importance of Values
The success of a country depends on the establishment of the correct values among its people. As society changes, it is important that educational institutes understand the correct values to provide. During periods of selfishness and materialism, when individual success is seen as the highest goal, it is important to provide a balance against this and remind people of the beauty of companionship, selflessness, and togetherness. The correct values must be understood in the individual, in the family, and in society. They must also be framed through the lens of Christian belief and in acknowledgement of women’s role in this development

③ The Need for Academic Practice and Service
Academic research at universities becomes more fruitful when it leads to practice, application, and social service. It is necessary, therefore, to establish training and education capable of cultivating these skills. Whereas those interested in business may only seek individual interest and self-driven goals, fostering talented people steeped in social conscious and capable of working towards our common goals is an important task of this university and the education it provides.
Seoul Women’s University is proud of the living education system it has established and continues to carry out today. This is a reflection of not only the unique qualities of our institution but also our dedication in working towards the betterment of society.

④ Rural Development
Although one might not believe it to look around the modern streets of the capital city, when Seoul Women’s University was established, roughly 70% of the country was engaged in agricultural work and the land was generally farm-based. The development of these rural areas thus became an important task for the Korean people. The rapid transition to an industrial society promoted commercial development but often had a devastating effect on rural areas. It thus became necessary to develop the country in a more balanced way, requiring an awareness of both cultural and spiritual factors. Alongside this was a need to produce leaders who would inspire farmers and provide a roadmap for the future.

With these goals in mind, the "Rural Science Department" was established to promote academic practice. All senior (Grade 4) students were previously required to visit rural areas and live and work with farmers so as to better understand them. This was a reflection of the founder's belief that rural social development is the core of national development.