This province in South Korea is so desperate for new residents it’s offering Asian teens to study for free at its high schools

In a bold move to combat declining birth rates and an aging population, a province in South Korea is rolling out the red carpet for Asian teenagers, offering them an opportunity to study for free at its high schools.

This novel study-abroad initiative is not merely about education, but a long-term plan to rejuvenate the region with fresh, young residents.

North Gyeongsang Province is currently handpicking 72 teenagers from six different Asian countries, to grace the halls of nine high schools spread across the southeastern region of South Korea.

The chosen countries are Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia, Cambodia, and China.

An official from the Office of Education, the team spearheading this program, noted that they are exploring options with the relevant agencies to offer these graduates work visas.

This would allow them to settle down in North Gyeongsang Province eventually.

Selected students will qualify to apply for a D-4–3 visa, a sub-category of the D-4 general trainee visa, typically given to elementary, middle, or high school students.

These overseas students will be exempt from tuition fees.

However, they will need to cover their living costs, including dormitory fees.

The majority of participating schools are vocational and specialized high schools that provide dormitory accommodations for students.

The official further stated that there are no scholarships associated with this program.

The D-4 visa grants students a one-year stay in Korea, and students will need to renew it annually to continue their studies beyond the first year and eventually graduate.

The eligibility criteria for this program mandate that applicants must provide their middle school academic records and score Level 2 or higher on the Test of Proficiency in Korean, also known as TOPIK.

Of the nine participating schools, four have already closed their application process.

A total of 32 students from Thailand, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Mongolia have secured their spots at these schools.

The application deadline for the remaining five schools is 8 September 2023.

These five schools include:

• Korea Marine Meister High School in Pohang (will enroll 4 students from Indonesia).
• Silla Technical High School in Gyeongju (looking for 12 Vietnamese students).
• Gyeongju Business High School, Gyeongju Girls Information High School, and Myeongin High School in Seongju (plan to accept a combined 24 students from Vietnam).

The official from North Gyeongsang Province confirmed that the program would continue into the 2025 school year, though the list of schools and the student quota are subject to change.

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