Desk
Government, campus, and regulatory updates that affect international students in Korea.
Education and Justice ministry results—181 certified universities, enhanced-screening schools and final 2026 GKS graduate results—guide school and scholarship planning now. 2026 employment-focused visa, root-industry training university and job-fair plans need later notices on eligibility and dates.
As of November 1, 2025, Korea's total population was 51.82 million, up by about 10,000. The Korean-national population fell by 50,000 while the foreign-resident population rose by 70,000; by purpose of stay, study recorded the largest increase, at 36,000.
HRD Korea and the Incheon Airport Main Customs Office will jointly develop customs and drug-crime prevention training for E-9 foreign workers to receive in 17 sending countries before departure and immediately after arrival in Korea.
The Ministry of Justice said it approved 44,340 Visit and Employment (H-2) compatriots to change to the Overseas Korean (F-4) status after the F-4 integration in February 2026. The H-2 population was counted at 31,186 in July.
The Ministry of Justice discussed measures with 11 metropolitan local governments to strengthen specialized institutions for seasonal workers, employer training, and human rights protection. It plans to designate specialized institutions in the second half of the year and proceed with the 2027 allocation process.