Gov't eases rules for establishing foreign schools amid growing international population

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As Korea's foreign population grows, the government has eased regulations on establishing and operating foreign schools and kindergartens, paving the way for more educational institutions to open nationwide.

The Ministry of Education announced Tuesday that a revised bill on the establishment and operation of foreign schools and kindergartens was reviewed and approved during a Cabinet meeting. The ministry said the regulatory change is intended to enhance the educational environment for children of foreign residents.

Currently, 38 foreign schools operate nationwide, with more than half clustered in the Seoul metropolitan area. Seoul alone has 17 foreign schools, followed by six in Gyeonggi Province and two in Incheon.

According to data from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Korea’s foreign resident population reached a record 2.46 million in 2023, making up 4.8 percent of the total population — the highest percentage recorded since data collection began in 2006.

However, foreign schools have faced land constraints, as they could only be established on property owned by the state, a local government or a foreign government. This restriction created significant challenges in securing land.

For example, Yongsan International School of Seoul operates on land leased from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, while Dulwich College Seoul uses government-owned land in southern Seoul under a paid lease governed by the Foreign Investment Promotion Act.

Under the revised bill, however, foreign schools will now have a broader range of options for leasing land and facilities.

"There is strong demand for foreign schools in Seoul, but the limited availability of suitable land and facilities has made expansion difficult," an education ministry official said.

Under the revised regulations, foreign schools can lease properties owned by public institutions, state and local government-funded organizations, educational foundations and nonprofit organizations.

This change is expected to enable existing foreign schools to expand their facilities and new institutions to open.

The education ministry anticipates that demand for foreign schools will continue to grow alongside the growing foreign population. By easing regulations, the government aims to improve educational opportunities for foreign students through both the expansion of existing institutions and the establishment of new ones.

The revision also includes a new provision requiring a minimum lease period to ensure stable school operations and protect students' right to education. The ministry plans to recommend a minimum lease period of at least 10 years to prevent short-term lease agreements that could disrupt school stability.

Additionally, the revision specifies that if a foreign school is found to have unlawfully admitted Korean students, stricter penalties will be imposed for violations committed within the past three years.

If a foreign school is found to have admitted ineligible Korean students, the school will be banned from admitting any Korean students at all for a period of six months to a year on the first offense. A second offense will result in a ban lasting between one and two years, while a third offense will lead to a restriction of two to three years. If the school is caught violating the rule four times or more, it will be prohibited from admitting Korean students for 10 years.

While Korean nationals may seek enrollment in foreign schools within Korea, they must typically demonstrate a history of residing abroad for a specified duration. Furthermore, acceptance hinges on satisfying the admissions requirements stipulated by each individual institution, as these schools prioritize their mission of educating foreign students.

"By broadening options for securing land and facilities, the revised regulation will improve the educational environment for foreign children," Education Minister Lee Ju-ho said.