Chinese International Students Prohibited from Attending School for 14 Days After Entry... Active Approval of Semester Leave Also Allowed

Ministry of Education Prohibits Use of Multi-Use Facilities While Staying in Single Dormitory Rooms
Self-Isolators Monitored Daily Through Universities and Local Governments

On the 4th, students wearing masks are passing in front of a banner with guidelines for preventing the novel coronavirus infection at Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The government has strengthened quarantine procedures for Chinese international students upon entry according to special entry protocols and instructed universities to check students' symptoms daily during the 14-day suspension of attendance period after arrival. For Chinese international students who have not yet entered the country, the government plans to delay their entry and actively allow alternatives such as remote classes or taking a leave of absence for one semester.

On the 16th, the Ministry of Education held a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19 and prepared the "Protection and Management Plan for Chinese International Students Entering Korea" to protect the health of international students and prevent the spread of infection in universities and local communities as the university semester approaches.

According to data received by the Ministry of Education from the Ministry of Justice, a total of 19,742 international students have entered through China since December last year, of which 19,022 are Chinese nationals. As of last year, there are approximately 160,000 foreign international students in Korea, with about 71,000 being Chinese.

The Ministry of Education first took measures to ensure thorough management of international students at each stage of entry. Before entry, information such as the expected date of entry, planned residence in Korea, and contact details are confirmed, and universities notify students in advance about the academic calendar, including the semester start date and suspension of attendance policies. For students who face difficulties entering due to delays in visa issuance or COVID-19, guidance will be provided to actively utilize remote classes within China or allow and recommend taking a leave of absence.

When international students enter the country, quarantine is strengthened according to special entry procedures to thoroughly check their health status. Upon arrival, they must immediately report to the school representative, and the school will continuously monitor the students.

During the 14-day suspension of attendance period after entry, universities will check students daily for symptoms and instruct them to stay in dormitories or at home while minimizing outings as much as possible.

Students residing in dormitories will be assigned single rooms as a principle, and universities must monitor daily for any symptom development. To minimize contact among international students, additional measures such as restricting the use of student cards to prevent access to multi-use facilities like classrooms and libraries will be implemented.

Students living alone in one-room apartments or at home are advised to refrain from going out or having contact for two weeks. Schools will monitor symptoms at least once a day, and students themselves will respond daily to symptom checks through a "self-diagnosis app," coordinated with public health centers and local governments. After the suspension period ends, the school will confirm the final symptom status and guide students on returning to attendance.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye stated, "The government will continuously communicate with universities, student councils, international student associations, faculty, and parents to promote mutual understanding and encourage voluntary compliance with living guidelines, thereby preventing conflicts that may arise within universities or local communities."