The number of foreign students studying in South Korea has exceeded 310,000 for the first time, as per government data. Specifically, the Korea Immigration Service reported a total of 314,397 foreign students in February. This marks a significant increase from 153,361 students in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the past five years, the number of foreign students in South Korea has doubled, showcasing a remarkable growth trend. Among these students, 238,905 were enrolled in universities and higher education institutions. Additionally, 75,033 were Korean language trainees, and 459 were other language trainees.
Notably, the total number of foreign nationals residing in South Korea reached 2.71 million in February, reflecting a 4.4 percent increase from the previous year. The rise in foreign students was even more pronounced, with a 15 percent surge over the same period.
The data also revealed a notable increase in the number of students entering South Korea for university studies, showing a 22.2 percent rise year-on-year to reach 238,905 students. Among the foreign student population, Vietnamese students held the largest share at 115,131, followed by Chinese students at 78,529, Uzbek students at 20,609, and Mongolian students at 18,992.
Moreover, recent statistics indicated a surge in the number of foreigners visiting South Korea, with a more than 30 percent increase compared to the previous year. This rise in visitors, excluding crew members, is seen as a potential result of the upcoming comeback concert of the popular K-pop band BTS in Seoul.
