Ukrainian students in Korea to receive scholarship from government

K-campus

Published: 27 Sep. 2023, 11:47 Updated: 27 Sep. 2023, 13:59

Ukrainian students in Korea to receive scholarship from government

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during their summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, in July. During the summit, Yoon promised to offer humanitarian aid to Ukrainian students studying in Korea. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Ukrainian students studying in Korea will receive scholarships and living stipends this fall semester, following President Yoon Suk Yeol's promise to provide humanitarian aid to the country.

According to the Ministry of Education, 99 of the 153 Ukrainian nationals studying in Korea qualify for the scholarship.

The 39 students already receiving the government's Global Korea Scholarship, nine taking a semester off and six graduate degree candidates who completed their program but haven't received their degrees will not qualify.

Those enrolled in a degree program — vocational, undergraduate and graduate — will receive a maximum of 5 million won ($3,700) as tuition for this semester. Those studying at language schools will receive a maximum of 2 million won.

Yoon pledges security, humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Ukraine

The fall semester has already started, and tuition has been paid, so the students will get cash grants based on the actual amount they paid.

Students enrolled in vocational schools, undergraduate programs and language schools will get 900,000 won a month as living expenses throughout this fall semester. Those enrolled in graduate programs will get 1 million won a month.

The National Institute for International Education (Niied), under the Education Ministry, said it will contact the universities hosting Ukrainian students to offer the scholarship starting next month.

The government will spend 780 million won to pay for the scholarships.

According to Niied, the temporary scholarship follows discussions between Yoon and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during their summit in July.

Yoon had promised to support Ukraine and is also planning to offer financial support to Ukrainian students in Korea. Creating a Yoon-Zelensky scholarship program was also on the agenda.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]