Government to Promote Establishment of International Education Center in Pohang...Significant Support for Multicultural Students

Investing 20 Billion Won to Build History and Culture Center, Education Institute
1 in 30 Students is from Migrant Background
Customized Policies for Migrant Background Students Starting This Year
Gyeongbuk, an Education Development Zone, Launches Global Education Projects

As the number of students with migration backgrounds increases every year, the government is set to actively implement policies to support these students this year. In particular, it plans to establish an International Education Center to enhance the global capabilities of Pohang, Gyeongbuk. Additionally, global education projects will be carried out mainly in the Gyeongbuk region, which was designated as the pilot area for the first phase of the Education Development Special Zone.

On the 20th, the government announced these plans at the "Public Livelihood Discussion with the People - The 26th Northeast Asia Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Hub Gyeongbuk" held at Yeungnam University in Gyeongbuk. On this day, President Yoon Suk-yeol stated that 20 billion won will be invested to build the ‘East Sea Defense History and Culture Center’ in Pohang by 2026, and an ‘International Education Center’ will be constructed to support students from multicultural families.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Education will implement customized policies to support students with migration backgrounds starting this year through the 'Support Plan for Nurturing Talents among Students with Migration Backgrounds' announced last year and the revision of related laws such as the 'Elementary and Secondary Education Act.' As of last year, the number of students with migration backgrounds reached approximately 180,000, tripling from 68,000 in 2014. This means they account for about one in every 30 students.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Education is currently operating regional hub 'Korean Language Preparatory Courses' in 10 education offices for students who find it difficult to keep up with regular classes due to limited Korean language proficiency.

To support students with migration backgrounds who have strengths such as bilingualism, a new 'Dream Ladder Scholarship for Multicultural Education' has been established, selecting 200 students with migration backgrounds this year. These students will receive scholarships until they graduate from university.

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, is announcing measures to normalize medical school education on the 14th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Starting in 2025, a survey on the status of multicultural education will be conducted to ensure that multicultural education policies can be operated systematically and stably.

Meanwhile, in Gyeongbuk (Andong, Yecheon), which was designated as the pilot area for the first phase of the Education Development Special Zone in February this year, regionally tailored global education projects such as youth international exchange and school citizenship education will be actively promoted.

The Ministry of Education stated, "We expect that an educational environment will be created where students with migration backgrounds are seen as members of our community and nurtured as talents, and that outstanding overseas talents attracted to the region will play a role in revitalizing areas facing declining school-age populations and the risk of regional extinction."