Korea bars 40 universities from admitting international students

International students attend a Study in Korea Education Fair [SONG BONG-KEUN]

The Ministry of Education is restricting 40 universities from admitting international students to select programs in a one-year ban.

A total of 20 universities will be barred from accepting international students for their degree programs starting with the fall 2024 semester, and another 20 will be restricted from accepting students into their language studies programs, the Education Ministry said Wednesday.

Universities on the list are prohibited from admitting new international students apart from exceptional circumstances, according to the ministry.

The ban will take effect beginning with the fall 2024 semester and last for one year.

One of the universities barred from accepting international students into its degree programs is Hanshin University.

The university came under fire for forcing Uzbek students enrolled in its language studies program to leave Korea in November last year. According to the university, students were asked to leave because they didn't meet the minimum savings account requirements for the student visa.

The other 19 universities that will also not be able to accept international students for their degree programs for a year are: Nambu University, Uiduk University, Joong-Ang Sangha University, The University of Suwon, Yewon Arts University, Jeonju University, Kosin University, Geumgang University, Halla University, Daegu Technical University, Woosong Information College, Dongwon Institute of Science & Technology, Yeungnam University College, Jeonju Kijeon College, Cheju Halla University, Kangwon Tourism College, Korea Lift College, TLBU Graduate Law School and Ezra Bible Institute for Graduate Studies.

Kangwon Tourism College is set to close this month due to financial struggles and a failure to attract enough students.

The evaluation considers factors such as the illegal stay ratio of students and how much language proficiency training is offered.

Another 20 universities will not be able to accept international students for their language studies programs, also for a year.

The universities are: Soonchunhyang University, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Dong-eui University, Yongin University, Dongduk Women's University, Mokpo National University, Sangji University, Yewon Arts University, U1 University, Changwon National University, Chodang University, Halla University, Chongshin University, Daegu Health College, Dongwon Institute of Science & Technology, Keimyung College University, Suncheon Cheongam College, Catholic Sangji College, Kyongbuk Science College and TLBU Graduate Law School.

The Education Ministry is also recognizing 18 universities for being outstanding host institutions to international students, including Ewha Womans University, Hanyang University and Chung-Ang University.

The ministry will ease visa screening procedures for students applying to those universities, and international students will be able to work an additional five hours a week.

Currently, student visa holders can work up to 25 hours per week, or up to 30 hours per week with Topik level 3 or 4.

The 18 universities will maintain their preferential status for the next three years.

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