Higher education policies play an important role in the construction and development of world-class universities (WCU). This article compares two world-class university construction projects in South Korea and China ― the third phase of the Brain Korea 21 project (BK21 Plus project) and the Double First-Class project ― and collects relevant policy documents and achievement reports of the two projects. By comparing the contents of relevant materials, we find that both projects are government-led construction plans based on the basic functions of universities. However, the two projects differ in development mode, support objects, financial support methods, openness and promotion mode. In particular, the balancing of various relationships in the projects is discussed. Finally, challenges and some recommendations are provided for the problems existing in the plans of building world-class universities in the two countries, regarding time of preparation start, household income, and economic support.