Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
INTERVIEW Gyeonggi education chief champions shift from welfare to empowerment in multicultural curriculum
Yim Tae-hee, superintendent of the Gyeonggido Office of Education, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, June 20. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Jung Da-hyun
Despite push for reforms, schools struggle with teacher shortages, lack of standardized materials
The Gyeonggido Office of Education is calling for a shift in multicultural education policy — from a welfare-based approach to one that empowers students to develop into globally competitive talent.
This strategic shift reflects a new vision for multicultural students, who have long been seen primarily as a vulnerable group requiring support. By highlighting their potential as members of a future global workforce, the policy seeks to position their linguistic and cultural backgrounds as national assets rather than solely matters of social welfare.
"Korea’s approach to multicultural students has largely focused on welfare and basic support, including language education. But I don’t believe that alone constitutes a successful multicultural policy," said Yim Tae-hee, Gyeonggi Province superintendent of education, during a recent interview with The Korea Times.
"It’s crucial to go beyond helping them adapt. We need to nurture their potential, support their aspirations and prepare them to thrive as members of society and future professionals," he added.
Amid a growing number of multicultural students nationwide, Gyeonggi Province now accounts for the largest share, with 53,837 as of 2024 — representing 27.8 percent of the national total.
The province’s high concentration of multicultural students is largely attributed to its many state-run enterprises, industrial complexes and agricultural zones, which attract foreign workers and their families.
In response, the education office is implementing tailored education policies that align with students’ developmental stages and reflect the unique characteristics of schools and regions with high multicultural populations.
"Our policies for multicultural students are designed not only to help them adapt to school life, but also to develop their strengths and nurture them into global talent capable of leading in a rapidly changing world," Yim said.
Multicultural students take part in a cultural education program at the Gyeonggi Korean Language School. Courtesy of Gyeonggido Office of Education
In addition, the education office has established a support system based on students’ stages of settlement.
In the initial phase, the focus is on helping students enter smoothly into public education, with language acquisition as a top priority. During the adaptation stage, the support shifts toward helping them integrate into school life, including the use of Korean-language textbooks and curricula specifically developed for multicultural learners. At the growth stage, the policies aim to build on students’ individual strengths while offering guidance for future academic and career development.
Newly arrived multicultural students often face difficulties in school due to limited Korean language proficiency, which can lead to academic setbacks and emotional stress. To address these issues, the education office has launched the Gyeonggi Korean Language School (KLS), a regional support model designed to help students transition into the public education system.
"KLS is more than just a language program — it’s designed to help students adapt to school life and rebuild their confidence," Yim said.
The education office also plans to establish a public alternative school in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, the city with the highest number and proportion of multicultural students in the country.
The school will admit students through a lottery system, with approximately 70 percent of seats reserved for multicultural students and 30 percent for Korean students. Tuition will be fully subsidized to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds can enroll regardless of financial circumstances.
Despite a range of policies aimed at supporting multicultural students, significant challenges still remain.
"Like programs in KLS, much of the instruction depends heavily on the individual capabilities of tutors, as there is no standardized curriculum in place," Yim said.
He also pointed out a shortage of qualified teachers as a major issue, noting that the diverse backgrounds of students require educators to put in additional effort to provide tailored instruction.
Because the Ministry of Education regulates teacher quotas, staffing flexibility remains limited.
"These issues require close coordination with the central government and the education ministry to move forward," he added.
Yim Tae-hee, left, superintendent of the Gyeonggido Office of Education, poses with Kazakh education officials after signing a memorandum of understanding at Eurasian National University in Kazakhstan, April 26. Courtesy of Gyeonggido Office of Education
Meanwhile, as part of its efforts to expand international cooperation in education, the Gyeonggido Office of Education has started an exchange program with Kazakhstan, a country known for its cultural diversity.
"During a visit to a school in Kazakhstan in April, I saw students wearing traditional attire and performing folk songs," Yim said. "It was a clear example of how the country naturally embraces a wide range of cultures and backgrounds."
The education office has established an institutional framework for educational cooperation with Kazakhstan through an official agreement. The partnership has opened pathways for students in the province to engage with universities and educational institutions in Kazakhstan, while also enabling Kazakh students and teachers to experience Korea’s education system firsthand.
As part of the initiative, the office has launched joint curricula and exchange projects between schools with high multicultural populations in Gyeonggi and international schools in Kazakhstan, fostering mutual learning between students and educators.
"This exchange marks a strategic starting point for expanding the potential of multicultural students to the global stage," Yim said. "The education office plans to further strengthen international cooperation, ensuring students’ learning and career opportunities extend beyond borders."
As the number of multicultural students continues to grow each year, classrooms are evolving into spaces where students with diverse languages, cultures and nationalities learn together. In response to this shift, Yim emphasized that the education office is moving away from a traditional support-and-adaptation model toward a new approach centered on mutual growth.
"Multicultural students should be encouraged to recognize their strengths and develop into globally competent future leaders," Yim said.
Looking ahead, it plans to expand international exchange programs with countries such as Kazakhstan, aiming to help students from diverse backgrounds engage with each other’s cultures and build the skills needed to thrive in a globalized world.
"It is the responsibility of the education office to support multicultural students in paving their own paths and realizing their dreams," Yim said.