Kongju National University to establish new program for international students

Kongju National University will establish a new academic program exclusively for international students starting with the 2027 academic year.

The Division of Global Korean Studies will admit 50 international students in its first intake, the national university in South Chungcheong said.

The new program comes as universities across Korea seek to attract more overseas students amid a declining domestic student population. It also aligns with the government's push to expand international student enrollment through its "Glocal 30 University" initiative, under which selected universities can receive multibillion-won funding support to strengthen both their competitiveness and regional development.

Kongju National University has seen a steady increase in enrollment at its Korean Language Education Center, with the number of students rising from 317 in 2023 to 511 in 2024 and 652 in 2025.

Despite this growth, university officials noted that the institution lacked a broader, university-wide drive to channel international students into full undergraduate degree programs.

The upcoming curriculum will combine Korean language education with courses designed to improve students' employment prospects in Korea.

Freshmen will primarily take intensive Korean language courses. From their sophomore through senior years, students will study different aspects of Korea, including its society, culture, history, politics and economy. The program will also include career-oriented training such as field-based classes and internships.

The university said it plans to strengthen international student recruitment by holding overseas information sessions in countries including Vietnam, Indonesia and Uzbekistan. It will also collaborate with the King Sejong Institute and partner universities overseas to attract qualified international students.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO   [[email protected]]