Starting in July, foreign students could have to pay about seven times more for health insurance premiums under a revised law requiring them to join the state health insurance system if they stay in South Korea longer than six months.
So far, most foreign students have used private health insurance policies that cost about 100,000-110,000 won ($85-$94) a year. But under a revision to the National Health Insurance Act set to take effect on July 16, all foreigners, including students, must join the state insurance system if they stay six months or longer.
State health insurance premiums are about 678,000 won a year.
The law was revised to prevent foreigners from abusing the state insurance system. There have been cases in which foreigners entered the country and joined the system by paying a small amount in insurance fees with the aim of getting expensive treatment.
Universities have called for students to be exempt from the law.
"It would be a big burden for students from developing countries," a university official said, adding that even though the state insurance system offered greater benefits than private policies, most students in their 20s would nott need extensive health care.
The education ministry said it would ask the health ministry to exempt foreign students from the mandatory subscription to the national health insurance system.
Health ministry officials said they would conduct a review if there was an official request from the education ministry, but added that such an exemption should have been included when the law was revised. (Yonhap)