Mitigating South Korea’s Population Decline through Foreign Student Immigration: An Analysis of Government Policies and Their Impact

초록

South Korea is grappling with a demographic crisis characterized by a declining birth rate and an aging population, threatening its economic stability and the viability of its higher education institutions. In response, the Korean government has launched several initiatives, such as the Study Korea Project, Study Project Advance Korea, Policy for Advancing Recruitment and Management (PARM), Policy to Enlarge International Students (PEIS), and the ongoing Study Korea 300K Project, aimed at attracting and retaining foreign students. This research utilizes the Push-Pull Plus analytical framework to evaluate these initiatives, focusing on the factors influencing international students’ decisions to study in Korea and their subsequent choices to leave after graduation. The findings indicate that, while these initiatives have successfully increased foreign student enrollment, retention is hampered by significant cultural integration challenges and insufficient support systems. Specifically, a lack of cultural acceptance and inadequate institutional support are major barriers preventing international students from staying in Korea after graduation. To improve retention rates and address demographic and economic challenges, this research recommends implementing enhanced cultural integration programs, comprehensive support services, clear career pathways, and policy reforms that facilitate smoother transitions from education to employment.

키워드