Korea opens new pathway for refugee students through state scholarships

From left, Vice Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo, Vice Education Minister Choi Eun-ok and Kim Sae-ryo, representative of U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Korea office, pose during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony on the establishment of a dedicated track for refugee students in the Global Korea Scholarship program, at Government Complex Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of UNHCR

Korea has opened a new education pathway for refugee students by adding a dedicated track to its state-funded scholarship program, according to the U.N. refugee agency and education authorities.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Korea office, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Justice signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding Thursday to strengthen support for refugee students by expanding access to higher education in Korea.

Under the agreement, up to five refugee students will be selected each year through a newly established refugee track within the government’s Global Korea Scholarship program for international students.

The program targets refugees living in overseas camps or similar settings who demonstrate strong academic motivation and growth potential but lack access to higher education opportunities.

Candidates will be recommended by the U.N. refugee agency and screened through a joint evaluation process involving Korean universities and the National Institute for International Education. The justice ministry will oversee necessary legal and administrative procedures, including refugee status recognition and residence permits.

The new initiative fulfills a pledge the Korean government made at the Global Refugee Forum in 2023 to better support refugee students, the education ministry said.

The UNHCR noted that similar education pathways for refugees are already in place in several partner countries, including Canada, Australia and the Philippines, welcoming Korea's participation.

"By expanding cooperation with international organizations, Korea is diversifying pathways for talent and strengthening models of global partnership," Vice Education Minister Choi Eun-ok said at the signing ceremony held at Government Complex Seoul.

Kim Sae-ryo, UNHCR’s representative in Korea, said, the move marked a concrete step in fulfilling the country’s pledge at the Global Refugee Forum. She expressed hope that the agreement would serve as a model for stronger international responsibility sharing.