The government plans to reduce enrollment at public universities that have a low rate of competitiveness.

Minister of Education, Science and Technology Lee Ju-ho unveiled measures on Thursday during a meeting with presidents of national and public universities.

Lee said the government will establish an evaluation system for the nation's 31 public universities and have universities that are rated at the bottom 15 percent carry out enrollments cuts.

The minister said in order to resolve problems surrounding high college tuitions, colleges need to boost their competitiveness in addition to easing tuition burdens.

He added that more stringent restructuring measures will be sought for private universities since the number of public universities in the nation will not decrease despite the enrollment cuts.