Korea to tighten oversight of international students with sweeping inspections

The Ministry of Education's building in Sejong Government Complex in Sejong City / Korea Times file

Korea will launch joint government inspections on universities’ management of international students, officials said Thursday, as authorities move to overhaul oversight from admissions to long-term residency.

The Ministry of Education said it will conduct on-site inspections with the Ministry of Justice in April and May, examining the full lifecycle of international students, from recruitment and academic support to employment and visa compliance.

The inspections will target universities where submitted data requires verification, institutions involved in past controversies related to international student management, and schools suspected of excessive enrollment of international students relative to capacity. The education ministry said it will select four universities each in the first and second half of the year for detailed reviews.

Officials said the review will focus on the appropriateness of admissions, Korean language education and student support, attendance and academic management, and compliance with visa regulations.

Authorities said serious violations, including document falsification, will trigger strict penalties. Universities could lose certification status and be designated as institutions subject to intensified visa screening, facing restrictions on visa issuance for up to three years.

The move comes as the government shifts its international student policy away from rapid expansion toward stricter quality control. According to results released in February, 71.1 percent of general universities offering degree programs received certification under the education internationalization capacity system, compared with 28.2 percent of junior colleges. Overall, about 47.1 percent of institutions remain outside the certification system.

Officials said the government will also strengthen a comprehensive talent management framework linking education, employment and long-term settlement, based on workforce demand in key national and regional industries.

The education ministry said it plans to upgrade the certification system to better assess the ability of universities to recruit and train international talent, while building a system to support students through study, employment and residency in Korea.

The government also said it will reinforce legal and institutional frameworks, including designating dedicated support centers for international students, to ensure effective implementation of talent development policies.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.