S. Korea unveils roadmap to attract 300,000 international students by 2027

SEOUL -- South Korea aims to increase the number of international students to 300,000 by 2027 from about 167,000 in 2022. The country will work with universities, private companies, and local governments, to attract foreign students. Various projects will be carried out such as offering hands-on career training programs and Korean-language classes.

Under a project titled "Study Korea 300K Project," the Ministry of Education would secure 300,000 foreign students by 2027. The government hopes to increase international students pursuing academic degrees to 220,000 in four years from about 124,000. Digital Korean language textbooks will be provided for foreigners who hope to attend a South Korean university. Visa regulations will be eased for foreign employees who obtained a master's degree in the science and engineering field at prestigious domestic institutes.

"We hope the project will bring positive effects such as boosting the local economy, gaining competitive advantage in high-tech sectors, and upgrading the universities' global competitiveness," Education Minister Lee Ju-ho said during a conference on August 16.

Earlier this month, the culture ministry revealed its plan to secure about 500,000 Korean language learners by 2027. The ministry would increase the number of public language centers called the King Sejong Institute to 350 from 248 last year. South Korean pop and drama content will be incorporated to create new educational materials.

Kim Joo-heon jhkim123@ajunews.com

S. Korea unveils roadmap to attract 300,000 international students by 2027

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