Report Vietnam Leads as Top Source of International Science Students in South Korea

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Vietnam has emerged as the leading source of international students in South Korea's engineering and natural sciences programs, representing 25.1% of foreign students in these fields. This data, released by South Korea's Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology, marks the country’s first official survey on international students in science and engineering disciplines.

 

In 2024, South Korea welcomed a total of 29,187 international students pursuing studies in these sectors, including 20,186 undergraduates and 9,001 postgraduates. Following Vietnam, China accounted for 24.5% of these students, and Uzbekistan 9.7%.

 

The number of Korean students studying science and engineering abroad also stands comparably at 29,770, with the majority opting for undergraduate studies. The United States continues to be the preferred destination, drawing 44.9% of these Korean students, followed by Japan (13.9%) and Canada (11.8%).

 

 

 

In response to the growing focus on science and technology education, the Korean Government plans to significantly enhance its 2025 investment budget for developing the science and technology workforce. The total budget will rise to 9.28 trillion won (approximately US$6.47 billion), marking an increase of 1.45 trillion won from the previous year. Aimed at fostering talent, the scholarship fund for exceptional students in science and engineering will see an increase from 50.7 billion won to 57.3 billion won.

 

These initiatives reflect South Korea's commitment to strengthening its position as a global leader in science and technology education while nurturing the next generation of innovators and researchers.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-04-28