South Korea's pilot scheme allowing international students to bring their parents as seasonal workers has sparked concerns over potential exploitation and human rights violations. While the initiative aims to address labor shortages in rural areas, critics argue it may exacerbate existing issues of low pay and harsh conditions. The scheme has faced scrutiny for its focus on preventing worker absconding rather than improving working conditions. Despite these concerns, local governments continue to promote the program to attract international students and their families, with the government aiming to double the number of foreign students by 2030.

The awarding of the 2024 Nobel Prize for Literature to South Korean novelist Han Kang has sparked renewed debate over the undervaluation of humanities degrees in South Korea, which has traditionally focused on STEM fields. Han's win, celebrated for its poetic prose confronting historical trauma, has led to a surge in demand for her books and highlighted the importance of literary translation. The event has prompted calls for increased investment in humanities and social sciences, with lawmakers proposing amendments to promote translation education. Despite the public interest, experts warn that meaningful change requires long-term institutional reform to counteract the decline in humanities enrollment and ensure sustained support for humanities education.

South Korea's education ministry is auditing Seoul National University (SNU) after it approved collective leave requests from over 700 medical students, defying government policy. The students, along with striking doctors and professors, are protesting increased medical school quotas, citing concerns over overcrowding and reduced training quality. The government's firm stance against collective leave has led to widespread disruption in medical education, with low attendance rates. SNU's decision has sparked criticism from the ministry, which views it as undermining educational duties, and from professors' associations, which see it as an infringement on autonomy. The ministry's audit aims to assess the situation and ensure students' return, while an emergency plan has been introduced to stabilize operations. The situation highlights tensions between educational institutions and government policy, with potential implications for future medical training and student rights.

A Bank of Korea report highlights the significant influence of parental wealth and residential location on university admissions in South Korea, revealing that students from affluent families are more likely to gain entry into prestigious universities. The report proposes a regional proportional admission system to address these disparities, suggesting that universities allocate places based on regional student populations. The system aims to reduce the advantage of living in Seoul and promote a more equitable society. Experts emphasize the need for government support for low-income families and a multi-dimensional approach to address underlying socio-economic issues. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol advocates for balanced regional development to tackle population challenges.

The South Korean government is tightening university admissions rules following a scandal involving professors providing illegal tutoring to music college applicants. Thirteen professors were indicted for conducting high-cost private lessons and influencing admissions evaluations. The Ministry of Education has revised the Higher Education Act to impose enrolment reductions on universities involved in systemic fraud. The investigation revealed widespread malpractice, with professors colluding with brokers to conduct illegal tutoring sessions. The scandal highlights ongoing issues in the admissions process, with the government aiming to curb such practices through stricter regulations.

The South Korean government is revising visa and residency rules to attract global talent in science and technology. New policies allow international undergraduate students from top-ranked universities to be invited as research students by Korean universities. The Ministry of Justice has relaxed visa requirements, enabling institutions like Seoul National University and others to attract foreign researchers. The government aims to improve conditions for foreign researchers, offering more access to R&D funds and easing residency requirements. The changes are part of a broader strategy to address labor shortages in key industries and enhance South Korea's R&D capabilities.

South Korean universities are increasingly focusing on recruiting international students to address financial challenges, as revealed by a survey from the Korean Council for University Education. The survey highlights that financial support and student recruitment are major concerns for university presidents. The Ministry of Education's 'Study Korea 300K Project' aims to attract 300,000 international students by 2027 to support regional universities. However, the concentration of international students in metropolitan areas like Seoul poses challenges for regional institutions. Experts warn that lowering language proficiency criteria might impact education quality. The article underscores the need for strategic recruitment and improved financial support for higher education.

A South Korean professor, identified as 'Lee', has been sentenced to two years in prison for leaking sensitive autonomous vehicle technology to China, in exchange for payments from the Chinese government. The Supreme Court of Korea upheld the sentence, citing violations of the Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology. Lee, who worked at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), was involved in China's Thousand Talents Plan, which has faced scrutiny for transferring intellectual property to China. The court found Lee guilty of fraud and embezzlement, and KAIST is considering further disciplinary action. The case highlights ongoing concerns about technology espionage and international academic collaborations.

South Korea has launched the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), led by Professor Yoon Young-bin, to advance its space exploration capabilities. Modeled after NASA, KASA aims to foster a 'space economy' and increase South Korea's global aerospace influence. The agency plans to collaborate internationally, develop reusable launch vehicles, and participate in significant space missions, including lunar and Mars exploration. Despite budget constraints compared to other nations, KASA seeks to strategically focus on select projects, drawing inspiration from the UK Space Agency's model. The initiative is part of President Yoon Suk-yeol's vision to position South Korea among the top space powers.

The South Korean government's concession to reduce the planned increase in medical school admissions by 2,000 places is unlikely to quell ongoing protests by medical students, trainees, and professors. Despite some universities accepting the offer, professional medical bodies demand a complete reversal of the plan, citing concerns over education quality. The government, emphasizing the need for medical reform, faces resistance from the Korean Medical Association and other medical groups, who insist on reevaluating the expansion plan. The situation remains tense, with potential disruptions to medical services if resignations and strikes continue.