Ministry of Education Shifts to a 'Quality-First' Approach for International Students

On September 8, Korea's Ministry of Education announced a new strategy shifting its focus for international students from "growing numbers" to "improving education quality" and "nurturing top talent." International student numbers reached 307,464 in 2026, hitting the 300,000 target a year early. Going forward, universities will face stricter admission and management standards, and schools lacking basic educational conditions will be restricted from recruiting new international students, while scholarships and career support for top students will expand.