KS's Global Insights into Higher Education

With South Korea’s Constitutional Court preparing to rule on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, university campuses have become battlegrounds for opposing political forces. While pro-impeachment sentiment has been dominant among students, recent weeks have seen a surge in pro-Yoon demonstrations, many of which have been orchestrated with the involvement of external conservative groups and far-right influencers. What began as a series of student-led discussions has evolved into a crisis, as politically motivated agitators force their way onto campuses, disrupting academic life and threatening student safety. Universities have long been centers of political engagement, but the escalating conflict, marked by intimidation, violence, and unauthorized intrusions, raises urgent concerns about the erosion of academic autonomy. Spreading Controversies Across Major Universities The wave of campus protests began in early February when students at Yonsei University held a pro-impeachment ...

In December 2024, South Korea faced significant political instability when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, a decision that was quickly rescinded by the National Assembly amidst widespread opposition. This brief but impactful episode has had lasting repercussions, particularly on the country's higher education sector, which is vital to its international reputation and demographic strategy. The crisis disrupted South Korea's ambitious goal of attracting 300,000 international students by 2027, a cornerstone of its efforts to counteract population decline and workforce shortages. International students, previously drawn to South Korea for its safety and democratic stability, began to reconsider their plans, with some expediting their departures. The situation highlighted vulnerabilities in South Korea's efforts to position itself as a global education hub, undermining recent achievements, such as surpassing 200,000 international students in 2024. The political tur...

In August, controversy erupted over merchandise produced by a university. Items emblazoned with the English phrase, “I am a proud parent of a student at S University”, intended to foster alumni loyalty and raise funds, drew criticism for promoting vanity and “vulgar academic elitism.” The issue escalated to the point where a civic organization filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. In defense, some argued that such practices are commonplace at American universities. Indeed, during a recent visit to the gift shop of the prestigious N University in the Midwest, I observed a wide variety of merchandise catering to members, alumni, and even local residents who proudly identify with the university. On the same day, I saw many community members casually sporting N University merchandise at a college football game, showcasing their connection to the institution. The Premise That Universities Guarantee Life My own college years overlap with the late 1990s and ear...

South Korea's international higher education landscape in 2025 is set to be shaped by a combination of policy-driven strategies and evolving global trends. One prominent trend is the national push towards the “Study Korea 300K” project, which aims to attract 300,000 international students by 2027. It emphasizes structured support systems and strategic engagement with high-demand regions such as Southeast Asia and Central Asia. This initiative aligns with policies like the Digital TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) platform and enhanced scholarship programs under the Global Korea Scholarship.  Such measures aim to bolster Korea's appeal by addressing language barriers, providing digital resources for Korean language acquisition, and increasing opportunities for STEM-related academic pursuits. This focus on inclusivity and academic excellence is likely to position Korea as a more competitive destination for higher education in East Asia, attracting a broader range of students ...

The recent intense conflict between students and the administration at Dongduk Women’s University illustrates this complexity. According to media reports , the issue began when the university administration pushed forward plans to transition to a coeducational system without sufficient prior discussion with students. The situation escalated as students attempted to physically block the initiative, leading to additional disputes over property damage and financial compensation. The opposition, rooted in the argument that allowing male access to a university established to promote women’s education and rights was unacceptable, further intensified the conflict. This incident, like many others, invites a variety of perspectives. Understanding it accurately requires insights from sociology, gender studies, political science, and communication studies. However, I believe that perspectives from higher education administration and international education are equally indispensable. One of the ke...

US students are choosing South Korea. This marks a new milestone for the country, which over the past decade has been receiving spotlight as a popular study abroad destination for international students globally.  The data from the Institute of International Education (USA) and Korea’s Ministry of Justice corroborate the shift in mobility patterns. In 2002/03, a small margin of internationally mobile US students was found in Korea, 834 or about 0.4% (739 of 174,629). Since then, inbound numbers have grown eight-fold (to 5,909) in 2022/23, representing a dramatic increase in the shares of total US students found globally. The ratio of US students in Korea to global numbers stood at 2.1% for the 2022/23 academic year while pandemic levels were even higher with US students in Korea representing nearly 7 percent of the global US study abroad population (977 out of 14,549). Notably, Korea is exemplary for having not only the highest rate of growth in recent years, but also fast rebound ...

Motivation to Apply for the Fulbright Program  In 2012, I embarked on a pivotal journey as a Fulbright scholar in the Korea International Education Administrator (IEA) Program. My decision to apply was rooted in a deep-seated desire to bridge the gap between South Korea’s higher education system and the global landscape. As a professional navigating the intricacies of international education, I recognized the need to expand my understanding of global best practices, forge meaningful partnerships, and cultivate innovative strategies that could elevate the institutions I served.  South Korea’s higher education sector, while robust in its academic rigor, faced challenges in adapting to the demands of globalization. I believed that participating in the Fulbright program would provide me with unparalleled exposure to diverse educational models and strategic frameworks employed by U.S. institutions. Fulbright’s mission of fostering mutual understanding and collaboration across cultu...