RESEARCH NOTES

The Era of 300,000 Foreign Students: Why Regional Universities Are Desperate to Attract Overseas Students

Foreign students in South Korea reached 307,464 in 2026, a 21.3% increase from the previous year, surpassing the government's target of 300,000 one year ahead of schedule. Students from Vietnam totaled 96,834, surpassing China for the first time, while 72.6% of all international students are enrolled in degree programs. With the proportion of non-metropolitan students expanding to 47.4%, the importance of foreign students in filling enrollment quotas and managing regional universities is growing. A complex combination of declining school-age populations, university enrollment shortfalls, limited tuition hike capacities, and government policies expanding international student numbers is driving this trend. The government is now shifting its policy direction from merely increasing the number of students toward enhancing educational quality, employment and settlement outcomes, and strengthening the management of underperforming universities.