-
Korean students' motivation to study English drops as AI tools rise: report
An increasing number of middle school students in South Korea are asking whether they need to study English at all, now that artificial intelligence can do the work for them. A new government report shows a clear drop in student motivation to learn English, and education officials posit that the widespread use of AI-powered translation apps is playing a key role. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Achievement, released Tuesday by South Korea’s Ministry of Education and the
July 23, 2025 -
South Korea’s student loan debt tops W2tr as youth unemployment deepens
Young South Koreans are borrowing more money than ever for college, while their chances of landing a stable job grow slimmer. New data from the Korea Student Aid Foundation reveals that student loan borrowing surged to 2.11 trillion won ($1.44 billion) in 2024, the highest figure in nine years. This marks an 11 percent jump from the previous year’s total of 1.89 trillion won. The last time borrowing exceeded 2 trillion won was in 2015. The spike comes as job opportunities for young people are dr
July 18, 2025 -
Sejong University tops Korea's tech transfer earnings in 2024
Sejong University announced that its technology transfer income for 2024 was the highest among South Korean universities, posting 17.37 billion won ($12.5 million) that year. It outpaced other top Korean universities, including Kyung Hee University at 9.7 billion won, KAIST at 8.1 billion won, Seoul National University at 6.4 billion won and Sungkyunkwan University at 4.3 billion won. This figure is the second-highest in Korean history, following Hanyang University’s 27.9 billion won in 2022, an
July 15, 2025 -
South Korea's brain drain -- Why top talent is leaving
As South Korea ramps up its efforts to attract global talent by lowering visa hurdles and expanding scholarship opportunities for international students, its own highly educated professionals are quietly slipping away. Behind the nation’s push to become an innovation hub lies a sobering reality: South Korea is losing its best and brightest to foreign institutions and companies that offer better pay, richer research environments and more promising career paths. At the center of the exodus are Sou
July 7, 2025 -
Sejong University earns global recognition, ranks third domestically
Sejong University has been ranked third among Korean universities in the recent global university rankings, which evaluated over 2,250 institutions worldwide based on research output and international competitiveness. The Seoul-based university placed 238th overall, following Seoul National University and Yonsei University, which ranked 122nd and 234th, respectively. The rankings were compiled by US News & World Report, an American publication that annually evaluates universities across 13 indic
June 25, 2025 -
South Korea considers making AI standalone subject in schools
South Korea is considering introducing artificial intelligence as a standalone subject in elementary, middle and high school curricula, according to discussions underway within the National Policy Planning Committee. Under the current curriculum, revised in 2022, AI education is offered to 5th and 6th graders as part of "silgwa (practical studies)," a subject focused on basic knowledge and skills related to everyday life. In middle and high schools, AI instruction is included within the "jeongbo
June 25, 2025 -
Korean unis slide in global ranking
While China, Hong Kong and Singapore continue to rise in influence and academic reputation, Korean universities are struggling to maintain their global standing, according to the 2025 QS World University Rankings released Wednesday. Only three Korean universities made it into the top 100 this year: Seoul National University at No. 38, Yonsei University at No. 50 and Korea University at No. 61. This marks a drop from five institutions in the top 100 in 2024, sparking concerns that Korea may be lo
June 19, 2025 -
AI teaching assistant shows real promise at S. Korea tech university KAIST
South Korea’s top science and engineering university has rolled out a custom-built AI teaching assistant to help students in large graduate courses, and early results show it helped reduce repetitive student questions while encouraging more active, self-directed learning. At Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, a team of researchers led by AI graduate school professor Choi Yoon-jae and design professor Hong Hwa-jung developed a virtual teaching assistant, or VTA, that can answer s
June 10, 2025 -
Korea University opens doors to Harvard international students blocked by Trump's crackdown
Korea University has announced plans to welcome professors, researchers and students from Harvard University following a move by the Trump administration to revoke the enrollment of international students at Harvard. The university is the first in South Korea to formally step forward with an offer of support for those affected. Korea University, one of the country's most prestigious educational institutions, said it would launch a special program to assist Harvard-affiliated international profes
May 29, 2025 -
Actng president calls for future education based on trust, cooperation in AI era
Acting President Lee Ju-ho called Wednesday for efforts to advance education based on trust and cooperation in the digital era driven by artificial intelligence, casting the AI's emergence as a major shift in human civilization. Lee, the education minister, made the remarks as he attended the ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, a preparatory session taking place ahead of the APEC summit to be hosted by South Korea's city of Gyeongju later this year. "South Korea i
May 14, 2025 -
Over 8,300 medical students held back, 46 expelled after monthslong standoff
More than 40 percent of South Korea’s medical school students have been officially held back following a prolonged class boycott that disrupted the first semester of 2025, the Education Ministry announced Friday. With 46 students also confirmed for expulsion, the country’s largest academic disciplinary action in medical education is now official. According to the ministry, 8,305 students, or 42.6 percent of the 19,475 enrolled across 40 medical schools, now have to repeat the semester after fail
May 9, 2025 -
SNU professors suggest multiple test-taking for college entrance
Seoul National University professors' association on Monday suggested reforms to South Korea's education system that would allow students to take the college entrance exam multiple times a year, rather than just once as is currently permitted. The Suneung, or College Scholastic Ability Test, occurs on the third Thursday of November every year, the results of which largely dictate the college admissions process. The reform plan announced by the SNU Faculty Council seeks, among other things, to ea
April 15, 2025 -
Low birth rate's far-reaching impact: Sustainability of teacher pensions under threat
The impact of South Korea’s demographic crisis is far-reaching, with one lesser-known consequence being the threat to the sustainability of the teachers' pension system. As the school-age population shrinks and schools close, teachers are losing their jobs and becoming legally eligible for pension payouts much earlier than expected — sometimes as early as their 30s. According to data released by the National Assembly Budget Office, 410 pension recipients became eligible prematurely due to school
April 2, 2025 -
Seoul expands Korean e-book access to overseas learners
In a move to support the growing global interest in Korean language and culture, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced Monday that it will provide access to Korean e-books to 26 Korean education centers abroad, including in Japan, the United States, and several across Europe. This initiative marks the first time a regional education office in South Korea has launched an overseas e-book support program for Korean language learners. It comes in response to the surging demand for Kor
March 24, 2025 -
Will yearlong medical school standoff come to an end?
Amid government ultimatum, medical students return to class — but some remain uncertain After more than a year of protests and walkouts, the coming week is expected to mark a crucial turning point in South Korea’s yearlong medical education crisis, with nearly half of the country’s 40 medical schools setting March 28 as the final deadline for students to return to class. The outcome could determine whether the standoff between the government and medical students over enrollment expansion can fin
March 23, 2025