Korea urged to enhance campus life, support for int'l students

Byun Ki-yong, director of Korea University’s Higher Education Policy Research Institute, moderates the first session of the 2025 Korea Times Global Conference at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Korea needs to upgrade campus life, expand language and visa support, and provide visionary leadership to transform overseas talent from transient guests into thriving members of Korean society, experts said at the Korea Times Global Conference on Wednesday.

Under the title, “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Global Competitiveness of Korean Universities,” leaders and experts in higher education convened at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry Wednesday to evaluate hurdles in internationalizing Korea’s universities and chart a path forward.

The stakes, experts said, are far higher than simply attracting more foreign students. With Korea’s declining birthrate threatening to shrink its workforce and dim its economic future, the ability to successfully integrate skilled foreign workers is not a matter of convenience — it’s a matter of national survival.

Moderated by Byun Ki-yong, director of Korea University’s Higher Education Policy Research Institute, the panel revealed insights and candid solutions for boosting Korea’s appeal to international students.

“Until now, universities have independently recruited and educated international students, but realizing their great value as regional asset, the government foresees a new direction of reform,” said Shin Mee-kyung, director of the Education Globalization Division at the Ministry of Education.

Shin Mee-kyung, director of the Education Globalization Division at the Ministry of Education, speaks during the Korea Times Global Conference titled "Beyond Borders: Strengthening Global Competitiveness of Korean Universities," at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

The government foresees collaboration with 15 of 17 local municipalities in supporting and attracting international students and will expand language and lifestyle support to encourage their longer stay and, ultimately, settlement.

This ambitious goal comes as the number of foreign students on Korean campuses has exploded.

According to government data, Korea’s international student population has soared from just 22,500 in 2005 to around 250,000 today, a tenfold increase that highlights the country’s rapid rise as a global education destination amid a demographic crisis. The number is projected to exceed 300,000 by 2027.

Yang Jae-wan, dean of the Korean Association of Foreign Student Administrators, speaks during the Korea Times Global Conference titled "Beyond Borders: Strengthening Global Competitiveness of Korean Universities," at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Yang Jae-wan, dean of the Korean Association of Foreign Student Administrators, drew attention to administrative inertia and rigid campus cultures that often hamper adaptation to international standards. Yang advocated for breaking down administrative barriers, fostering open dialogue and implementing swift changes.

Additionally, flexible and supportive visa regulations are essential for not only bringing in international talent, but also allowing them to stay and thrive in Korea, according to Shim Hwa-yong, CEO of Hire Diversity, a local startup that specializes in handling complex administrative processes such as visa issuance and residence card applications on behalf of international students and expatriates.

Shim Hwa-yong, CEO of Hire Diversity, speaks during the Korea Times Global Conference titled "Beyond Borders: Strengthening Global Competitiveness of Korean Universities," at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Robert Kelly, professor of political science at Pusan National University, provided an outsider’s candid view as a longtime foreign educator in Korea, detailing obstacles foreign students face here, from language barriers to instructional design and bureaucracy.

“Korean language textbooks must be written for speakers of different languages, not simply translated from Korean. And universities need ombudsmen who speak English, so students always find the support they need,” Kelly said.

He also called for more foreign language classes and enhanced campus infrastructure and amenities. Many international students, especially those from developed countries, are reportedly “surprised at how poor the living arrangements are” in public university dorms, Kelly said.

Robert Kelly, professor of political science at Pusan National University, speaks during the Korea Times Global Conference titled "Beyond Borders: Strengthening Global Competitiveness of Korean Universities," at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

The panelists also pressed for more consistent and visionary leadership from university administrations and government ministries, pointing out that the effectiveness of internationalization efforts often hinges on who occupies key bureaucratic roles and their willingness to push for meaningful change.

The international profile of Korean universities demands sustained investment, cross-cultural strategies and renewed institutional commitment, they said.