SNU professors suggest multiple test-taking for college entrance

Seoul National University professors' association on Monday suggested reforms to South Korea's education system that would allow students to take the college entrance exam multiple times a year, rather than just once as is currently permitted. The Suneung, or College Scholastic Ability Test, occurs on the third Thursday of November every year, the results of which largely dictate the college admissions process. The reform plan announced by the SNU Faculty Council seeks, among other things, to ea

April 15, 2025

Low birth rate's far-reaching impact: Sustainability of teacher pensions under threat

The impact of South Korea’s demographic crisis is far-reaching, with one lesser-known consequence being the threat to the sustainability of the teachers' pension system. As the school-age population shrinks and schools close, teachers are losing their jobs and becoming legally eligible for pension payouts much earlier than expected — sometimes as early as their 30s. According to data released by the National Assembly Budget Office, 410 pension recipients became eligible prematurely due to school

April 2, 2025

Seoul expands Korean e-book access to overseas learners

In a move to support the growing global interest in Korean language and culture, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced Monday that it will provide access to Korean e-books to 26 Korean education centers abroad, including in Japan, the United States, and several across Europe. This initiative marks the first time a regional education office in South Korea has launched an overseas e-book support program for Korean language learners. It comes in response to the surging demand for Kor

March 24, 2025

Will yearlong medical school standoff come to an end?

Amid government ultimatum, medical students return to class — but some remain uncertain After more than a year of protests and walkouts, the coming week is expected to mark a crucial turning point in South Korea’s yearlong medical education crisis, with nearly half of the country’s 40 medical schools setting March 28 as the final deadline for students to return to class. The outcome could determine whether the standoff between the government and medical students over enrollment expansion can fin

March 23, 2025

BOK chief calls for reform of college admission system to nurture talent

Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong on Friday called for reforming South Korea's college entrance system in order to nurture talents capable of leading innovations. Rhee made the point during the opening ceremony of a research institute on population and talent issues at Yonsei University in Seoul. "Leading technological innovation and nurturing talent with creative problem-solving abilities are crucial for South Korea to become a first mover in the world. But the current exam-focused education s

March 21, 2025

Around 30 percent of elementary schools use AI textbooks: data

Government data showed Wednesday that around 30 percent of elementary schools in South Korea are using artificial intelligence-backed digital textbooks within their first year of introduction, with a comparably smaller number of middle and high schools using them. Of the 6,339 elementary schools across the country, 1,843 (29.1 percent) have adopted the AI textbooks for 3rd grade English while 1,813 schools (28.6 percent) use them for 3rd grade math, according to the Ministry of Education data su

March 19, 2025

Engaging boys and men key to ending gender-based violence

In the fight for gender equality, women have long been at the forefront, advocating for rights and dismantling systemic barriers. Yet, according to Humberto Carolo, CEO of White Ribbon Canada, achieving true gender equity is impossible without actively engaging men and boys in the conversation. Carolo, a globally recognized expert in gender-based violence prevention, said in an interview with The Korea Herald that changing harmful social norms and redefining masculinity are critical steps in era

March 18, 2025

Private education spending hits record despite fall in student numbers

4 out of 5 Korean kids attend cram schools, while regional, income disparities widen South Korea’s private education spending has once again reached an all-time high, totaling 29.2 trillion won ($20.1 billion) last year. Despite a decline in student enrollment, the average amount spent per student, participation rate and study hours all increased, highlighting an intensifying dependence on private education. According to data released by the Ministry of Education alongside Statistics Korea on Th

March 13, 2025

Acting President Choi vows enhanced school safety following first grader's tragic death

The government will implement a series of measures to enhance safety at schools and prevent incidents like the recent fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old student by a teacher, acting President Choi Sang-mok said Monday. "School safety management will be further strengthened in the new semester," Choi said during a meeting on education policies, emphasizing the need to prevent such tragedies from occurring on school grounds. As part of the measures, the government will push for the swift passage of a

March 10, 2025

U-turn on medical school quotas leaves students, parents reeling

With only 4 months left until admissions process for 2026 kicks off, uncertainty on med school quota fuels confusion among prospective students South Korea’s recent proposal to conditionally roll back its planned hike and cap next year’s medical school enrollment at 3,058 — the quota it was before and has been for the last nearly three decades — has fueled frustration among high school seniors, Suneung test takers and their parents. In February last year, the government announced they would sudd

March 9, 2025

AI digital textbooks off to shaky start as semester begins

As South Korean schools kicked off the new semester on Tuesday, the government's ambitious plan to introduce digital textbooks using artificial intelligence has yet to gain full traction. The Education Ministry revealed that the adoption rate remains at just 33 percent, with administrative and technical hurdles slowing down implementation. During a press briefing the same day, an Education Ministry official stated that as of Friday, the rate of AI digital textbook adoption across schools nationw

March 4, 2025

In Daechi-dong, cramming begins at age 4

South Koreans too young to hold a pencil compete to write essays to get into English kindergartens In a brightly lit classroom in Seoul’s Daechi-dong, 4-year-old Tommy (a pseudonym) grips his pencil, his little hands trembling slightly, with his feet dangling as they don’t yet touch the ground. His mother, along with others, waits anxiously outside as her child completes a test. The test sometimes requires them to read an English text and answer comprehension and inference questions or to write

Feb. 27, 2025

Medical school crisis takes toll as new semester approaches

Deans call for reversion to previous enrollment quota as schools not ready to take more students With the start of the new academic year just days away, South Korea's medical school crisis remains far from resolved, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the government's decision last year to expand medical school admissions quota by 2,000 spots. Despite efforts to persuade students to return, the overwhelming majority of those who protested the policy by taking a leave of absence have yet t

Feb. 25, 2025

158 universities in S. Korea pass standards for admitting international students

Number of international students entering Korea last year grew by 15 percent The South Korean government certified 158 universities' ability to manage international student programs, the Ministry of Education announced Monday. The certified colleges will benefit form eased visa screening, scholarship incentives and priority participation in overseas education fairs. The certification system, aims to enhance universities' internationalization efforts while addressing concerns over illegal stays b

Feb. 24, 2025

University in chaos as pro-, anti-Yoon rallies take over campus

Clashes between protestors and non-student groups jeopardize campus safety The wave of pro- and anti-impeachment rallies surrounding President Yoon Suk Yeol has spread to university campuses, deepening divisions among students and raising concerns over campus security. On Friday, rallies supporting and opposing Yoon's impeachment were held simultaneously at Korea University, following earlier protests at Seoul National University and Yonsei University. The universities are considered the top 3 e

Feb. 23, 2025