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Juggling Goals, Opportunities, and Challenges: Dilemma in South Korea’s International Student Growth

Over the past two decades, South Korea has seen significant growth in its international student population, driven by factors like the Korean Wave and the expansion of English-medium instruction. This rise has transformed South Korea into a global education hub, shifting its role from a "sending" to a "receiving" country for international students. By 2023, international students represented 9% of the global international student population. A detailed analysis shows that Korean language studies and undergraduate programs attract the most students, while advanced degree enrollments are smaller.

However, the surge in international students has introduced challenges, particularly concerning illegal residency. In 2023, 16% of international students were found to be residing illegally, with a stark contrast between non-degree (34%) and degree-seeking students (6%). Issues like universities struggling to manage students, and some engaging in illegal employment or activities, have exacerbated the problem. The rise in illegal residency, especially among Vietnamese students, reflects both weak oversight in non-degree programs and economic pressures on regional universities to recruit international students for survival.

In response, South Korean universities have implemented stricter measures to monitor student behavior, including curfews, roll calls, and private security efforts. The government also conducts annual reviews to address illegal residency, restricting visa issuance for non-compliant institutions. As South Korea continues to rely on international students to boost its economy and academic institutions, improving regulatory frameworks and institutional management is critical to maintaining the country's reputation as a leading global education destination.


*This is a summary of the article published on Times Higher Education in September 2024. For the original work, please visit https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/south-korea-needs-solution-student-visa-overstaying.

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