South Korea launched education policy changes on Friday to expand support for foreign students and multicultural families nationwide. The initiative reflects growing demographic pressures and the government’s strategy to internationalize education systems more aggressively.
The Ministry of Education announced the reforms during a policy briefing in Seoul outlining priorities for global engagement. Officials said education policy changes aim to improve language access, enrollment stability, and long-term workforce development.
At the center of the plan, authorities confirmed a full digital overhaul of the Test of Proficiency in Korean. The ministry plans to complete digitization by 2029 using computer-based testing and artificial intelligence grading.
Officials said remote testing options will allow applicants to take exams from overseas or home locations. As a result, access barriers for students living abroad are expected to decline significantly.
The TOPIK exam plays a critical role in university admissions, employment, and scholarship eligibility nationwide. Demand has risen sharply alongside the global popularity of Korean culture and education.
Meanwhile, the ministry outlined expanded overseas language education initiatives supporting education policy changes. Government-dispatched Korean teachers abroad will increase from seventy-seven to approximately one hundred by 2026.
In addition, officials plan to assign twenty teaching assistants focused on conversation skills and cultural instruction. Currently, government-supported Korean programs operate in nearly 2,800 schools across forty-seven countries.
The ministry also committed to distributing 260,000 Korean-language textbooks to ten countries by 2026. At the same time, authorities will expand digital learning materials and online textbook access.
Furthermore, South Korea will invite Korean-language educators from eighteen countries for professional training programs. Officials expect these efforts to strengthen pathways toward studying and working in Korea.
Domestically, the reforms introduce expanded support for students from international and multicultural households. Schools will receive artificial intelligence-based Korean learning tools and tailored language assessments.
Additionally, students will access after-school and holiday programs designed to reduce learning gaps. Educators will also receive standardized vocabulary lists aligned with classroom curricula.
The policy response follows significant demographic shifts reshaping South Korea’s education landscape. Multicultural households exceeded 430,000 in 2024, representing a forty-six percent increase since 2015.
Education officials reported more than 200,000 multicultural students enrolled nationwide in 2025. Meanwhile, registered foreign residents surpassed 2.5 million, nearing five percent of the population.
At the same time, projections show South Korea’s school-age population could fall by half by 2040. University enrollment shortages have already intensified across several regions.
Consequently, immigration rules for international graduates will change alongside education policy changes. Foreign graduates in artificial intelligence programs may qualify for permanent residency after three years.
Previously, applicants waited six years under existing regulations. The revised rule applies to graduates from twenty-seven designated universities nationwide.
Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin said the government plans swift implementation across ministries and schools. He emphasized education policy changes should promote shared growth for individuals, institutions, and communities.
Looking ahead, officials expect increased foreign enrollment and stronger integration outcomes. Authorities will continue monitoring results while adjusting policies based on participation trends.
