Document Information
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Document Title: Articles of Association
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Document ID: ISA-AOA-001
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Language: English
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Version: v2026.09.01
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Original Enactment Date: November 2, 2025
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Effective Date of This Revised Version: September 1, 2026
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Last Revised: September 1, 2026
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Governing Language: Korean
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Official Korean Name: 국제교류학생연합회
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Registered Official English Name: ISA Korea
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Public-Facing Brand Name and Abbreviation: 국제교류학생연합회 ISA Korea
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Korean Original: 정관 – 한국어
Language Notice
The Korean-language version is the original, and the English version is a faithful translation provided for accessibility and understanding. If there is any inconsistency or difference in interpretation, the Korean version prevails to the extent permitted by applicable mandatory law. This clause does not limit any rights available under applicable law.
Document Priority Notice — Not Part of the Articles
If documents conflict, they apply in this order: applicable laws and regulations → Articles of Association → ISA Korea Membership Dues and Refund Policy → ISA Korea Member Terms and ISA Korea Event Participation Terms → individual notices. The Member Terms and Event Participation Terms have equal priority: the former governs membership status and general obligations, while the latter governs specific event operations and safety. The Refund Policy prevails for all refund matters.
Revision History
Date | Version | Description |
November 2, 2025 | No version number assigned | Originally enacted and entered into force |
September 1, 2026 | v2026.09.01 | Official names in Article 1 updated; current revised version entered into force |
Chapter 1. General Provisions
Article 1 (Name)
The official Korean name of the Association shall be “국제교류학생연합회,” and its registered official English name shall be “ISA Korea.” Its public-facing brand name and abbreviation shall be “국제교류학생연합회 ISA Korea.”
Article 2 (Purpose)
The purpose of the Association is to plan and operate programs that expand international exchange opportunities for young people in the Republic of Korea, promote cultural and language exchange, and strengthen global competencies.
Article 3 (Activities)
To accomplish the purpose set forth in Article 2, the Association shall conduct the following activities:
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Host and operate major international student exchange programs, including ASC, JKSC, ISC, and IOC;
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Support the establishment of regional chapters and the operation of chapter activities;
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Hold regular meetings and workshops; and
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Conduct any other activities necessary to accomplish the purpose of the Association.
Article 4 (Principal Office and Location)
The principal office of the Association shall be located in Gwangju Metropolitan City. The Association may establish chapters elsewhere in the Republic of Korea or abroad as necessary.
Article 5 (Nonprofit Principle)
The Association shall not operate for profit, and any revenue generated through its operations shall not be distributed to its members.
Chapter 2. Members
Article 6 (Membership Eligibility and Admission)
Members shall be selected from among young people who are interested in international exchange and support the purpose of the Association, following the prescribed recruitment procedures established by the Association, including the submission of an application and an interview. Any person admitted as a member shall pledge to comply with these Articles of Association and all other regulations of the Association.
Article 7 (Rights of Members)
Members shall have the right to participate in the various activities of the Association and the right to attend the General Assembly, express their opinions, and participate in voting. Other detailed matters concerning the rights and interests of members may be determined by a resolution of the General Assembly or by separate regulations.
Article 8 (Obligations of Members)
Members shall have the following obligations:
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To comply with these Articles of Association and all other regulations of the Association and to carry out resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Executive Committee;
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To refrain from damaging the reputation of the Association and to actively cooperate in accomplishing its purpose; and
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To pay the prescribed membership dues and participate faithfully in the activities of the Association.
Article 9 (Loss of Membership)
A member shall lose membership upon the occurrence of any of the following:
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The member voluntarily applies to withdraw from the Association;
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The member dies; or
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The member is expelled in accordance with the prescribed procedures of the Association for engaging in conduct contrary to the purpose of the Association, seriously damaging the reputation of the Association, or for another such reason.
Chapter 3. Organization and Officers
Article 10 (Organizational Structure)
The Association shall consist of its headquarters, which serves as the central organization, regional chapters, and, where necessary, clubs established under its chapters. Chapters shall be established to carry out the activities of the Association at the regional level. Clubs may be organized by a particular school or field within a chapter or with the approval of the headquarters.
Article 11 (Types and Number of Officers)
The Association shall have the following officers:
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One President;
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One Secretary-General;
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One Director of Finance;
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One Director of Planning;
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One Director of Public Relations;
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One Director of Human Resources;
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One Director of Cooperation; and
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One Auditor, or up to two Auditors where necessary.
Article 12 (Duties of Officers)
The President shall represent the Association, oversee its affairs, and plan the direction of its international exchange activities.
The Secretary-General shall assist the President, manage and coordinate the overall operations of the Association, and act on behalf of the President if the President is unable to perform their duties.
The Director of Finance shall oversee the financial affairs of the Association and manage its accounts and assets.
The Director of Planning shall be responsible for planning events and programs. The Director of Public Relations shall be responsible for internal and external public relations and communications. The Director of Human Resources shall be responsible for member recruitment and management. The Director of Cooperation shall be responsible for exchange and cooperation projects with organizations in the Republic of Korea and abroad.
The Auditor shall audit the finances and operations of the Association at least once each year, report the results to the General Assembly, and may request corrective action where necessary. The Auditor may not concurrently hold another officer position and shall not participate in the executive operations of the Association.
Article 13 (Organization of Chapters and Clubs)
The Association may establish chapters in regions throughout the Republic of Korea with the approval of the Executive Committee.
Each chapter shall have one Chapter President, one Chapter Secretary-General, and one Chapter Director of Finance.
The Chapter President shall be elected by the members of the relevant chapter, represent the chapter, and oversee its affairs. The Chapter Secretary-General and Chapter Director of Finance shall be appointed by the Chapter President from among the members of the chapter and shall assist in the operation of the chapter.
A chapter may establish and operate departments such as an Education Department, Public Relations Department, and Cooperation Department through its own meetings where necessary.
A club is a small group that may be established within a chapter or directly under the headquarters and may establish departments such as an Education Department, Public Relations Department, and Cooperation Department where necessary.
Each chapter shall operate independently under the policies and guidance of the Association and shall regularly report its finances and activities to the headquarters.
Article 14 (Election and Filling of Vacancies)
The President and Auditor shall be elected by the General Assembly.
Where possible, the Auditor shall be elected from among alumni members of the Association in order to improve the continuity and transparency of the Association.
The Secretary-General, Director of Finance, department directors, and other officers shall be appointed by the President, subject to ratification by the Executive Committee.
The appointment of a Chapter President and other chapter officers shall be made in accordance with the opinions of the members of the relevant chapter. Specific appointment methods may be prescribed by the regulations of each chapter.
If an officer position becomes vacant or an officer becomes unable to perform their duties during their term, the Executive Committee may appoint a replacement. The term of a replacement officer shall be the remainder of the predecessor’s term.
Article 15 (Terms and Status of Officers)
The term of office of an officer shall be one year, and an officer may be reappointed.
An officer may be dismissed during their term by a resolution of the General Assembly.
Officers shall serve in an honorary and unpaid capacity. However, necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties may be reimbursed within the approved budget.
Chapter 4. Meetings
Article 16 (Composition and Convocation of the General Assembly)
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The General Assembly shall be the highest decision-making body of the Association and shall consist of all regular members.
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An Annual General Assembly shall be convened by the President once each year. A Special General Assembly shall be convened by the President when the President considers it necessary, upon a resolution of the Executive Committee, upon the request of at least one-fifth of all regular members, or upon the request of the Auditor.
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Members shall be notified in writing or by electronic means, including email or message, of the date, time, location, and agenda of a General Assembly at least seven days before it is held.
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Where an urgent matter arises, the notice period may be shortened by a resolution of the Executive Committee.
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A General Assembly may be conducted in person, remotely, or by electronic means.
Article 17 (Resolutions and Procedures of the General Assembly)
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A resolution of the General Assembly shall require the attendance of more than one-half of all registered members and the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members attending.
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Where a General Assembly is conducted electronically, the verification of attendance and voting shall be carried out by reasonable and fair means, including an identity-verification system, confirmation by response, or real-time verification.
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All resolutions of the General Assembly shall be recorded and retained in meeting minutes. The minutes shall include the date, time, and location of the meeting, a list of attendees, the principal matters discussed, and the resolutions adopted. The President shall certify the minutes by signature or electronic signature.
Article 18 (Chair and Resolutions of the General Assembly)
The President shall chair the General Assembly. If the President is absent, an officer designated by the President shall act as Chair.
A resolution of the General Assembly shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of more than one-half of the regular members present.
If the quorum required for a resolution is not met, a matter discussed at the General Assembly may be provisionally decided subject to ratification by the Executive Committee.
In the event of a tie, the Chair shall make the decision.
Article 19 (Matters Subject to Resolution by the General Assembly)
The following matters shall be deliberated and resolved by the General Assembly:
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Amendment of these Articles of Association and the enactment or amendment of the principal regulations of the Association;
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Election and dismissal of the President, Auditor, and other officers;
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Approval of the Association’s annual activity plan and proposed budget;
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Approval of the previous year’s activity report and annual accounts;
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Approval of significant disciplinary action, including the expulsion of a member; and
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Any other important matter that the Executive Committee considers necessary to submit to the General Assembly for resolution.
Article 20 (Executive Committee)
The Association shall establish an Executive Committee to ensure its efficient operation.
The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Secretary-General, Director of Finance, each department director, and the President of each chapter.
The Executive Committee shall deliberate and decide matters concerning the overall affairs of the Association and shall specifically handle the following:
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Matters concerning the establishment and implementation of the Association’s annual activity plan;
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Matters concerning the preparation of the proposed budget and annual accounts, including the statement of revenues and expenditures;
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Important operational matters, including member recruitment and the planning of major events;
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Matters concerning the establishment of and operational support for chapters;
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Matters delegated by the General Assembly; and
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Other urgent or important pending matters.
The President shall convene the Executive Committee as necessary and shall serve as its Chair.
A resolution of the Executive Committee shall require the attendance of more than one-half of all incumbent committee members and the affirmative vote of more than one-half of the committee members present.
The Executive Committee shall report its resolutions to the General Assembly and implement matters that have been approved.
Chapter 5. Finance
Article 21 (Finances and Sources of Revenue)
The finances of the Association shall be funded from the following sources:
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Membership dues, including enrollment fees and regular membership dues;
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Grants and subsidies from the government or public institutions;
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Revenue from activities, sponsorships, and donations; and
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Other miscellaneous income.
Article 22 (Assessment and Use of Membership Dues)
Members shall pay the prescribed enrollment fee and periodic membership dues, including dues assessed by semester.
The amount and method of payment of membership dues may be determined independently by each chapter. Each chapter shall remit twenty percent of the total membership dues collected by that chapter to the headquarters of the Association.
The membership dues remitted by each chapter shall become part of the headquarters’ operating fund and shall be used for the Association’s joint activities and administrative operating expenses.
The remaining membership dues collected by each chapter shall be managed as the independent finances of that chapter and used for its activities.
Article 23 (Fiscal Year and Financial Management)
The fiscal year of the Association shall run from January 1 through December 31 of each year.
The headquarters and each chapter shall maintain independent accounting systems and manage their respective finances.
Before the beginning of each fiscal year, the Association shall prepare the activity plans and proposed budgets of the headquarters and chapters. After the end of the fiscal year, it shall prepare annual accounts.
The completed annual accounts shall be submitted to the General Assembly for approval after review and reporting by the Auditor.
Each chapter shall also report its proposed budget and annual accounts to a chapter meeting or to the headquarters and shall operate transparently.
Article 24 (Disclosure of Donations Collected and Their Use)
The Association shall disclose the annual amount of donations collected and the details of their use to the public through the Association’s website and the website of the National Tax Service by March 31 of each year following the end of the relevant fiscal year.
The disclosed information shall include the total amount of donation income, principal uses, purposes of use, and beneficiaries and shall be prepared in accordance with the National Tax Service form for donation disclosure.
Chapter 6. Amendment of the Articles of Association
Article 25 (Amendment of the Articles of Association)
An amendment to these Articles of Association shall require the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all registered members at the General Assembly.
An amendment shall take effect upon completion of any filing procedures required by the competent authority.
Any amended provision shall comply with applicable laws and regulations, and all amendments shall be announced to all members without delay.
Chapter 7. Dissolution
Article 26 (Dissolution and Disposition of Remaining Assets)
The dissolution of the Association shall require the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all registered members at the General Assembly.
Upon dissolution of the Association, its remaining assets shall, as determined by the General Assembly, be donated or transferred to the State, a local government, or a nonprofit organization with a similar purpose.
However, if a particular chapter or club under the Association is dissolved, the remaining assets of that chapter or club shall be transferred to the Executive Committee of the Association and distributed as operating funds among the other chapters in proportion to the number of members in each chapter during the relevant year.
Under no circumstances shall the remaining assets of the Association be distributed at discretion to individual members.
Addenda
Article 1 (Effective Date)
These Articles of Association were enacted on November 2, 2025, and entered into force on the same date.
Article 2 (Matters Not Provided For and Other Matters)
Any matter not prescribed in these Articles of Association or any dispute concerning their interpretation shall be resolved by the General Assembly.
Where necessary, applicable laws, regulations, and generally accepted practices may be consulted, provided that doing so does not conflict with the founding intent or public-interest purpose of the Association.
