The Catholic University of Korea (hangul : 가톨릭대학교 hanja : 天主教大學校) is a private Roman Catholic institution of higher education in South Korea. It was established in 1855 and is the oldest university in South Korea. The Catholic University of Korea operates campuses in Seoul and in the neighboring Bucheon City. The university's medical school, considered as one of the most prestigious in South Korea, has eight affiliated hospitals in major cities of the country.