SEOUL — The Seoul metropolitan government said it is shifting policy to help international students move from “potential talent” to long-term residents, building support that extends beyond recruitment to employment and settlement.
Seoul said Tuesday it will open the Seoul Global International Student Support Center in the Sinchon university district and begin full operations in May. The city described the center as a one-stop platform that integrates help with jobs, startups and daily life, positioning it as a strategic hub for making Seoul a city where global talent gathers and stays.
The move follows rapid growth in the number of international students. Over the past decade, the total in South Korea rose from about 90,000 to 250,000, but critics have said pathways to jobs and settlement remain weak. While 65.5% of international students say they want to stay in South Korea, only 13.8% end up finding employment, Seoul said.
To close what it called a gap between “inflow and settlement,” Seoul said it will build an integrated model linking education to employment and long-term residence, with the new center serving as the main base for carrying it out.
The center includes counseling space, a shared office, classrooms and community facilities. It will provide job support, startup support, visa and stay counseling, and help with adapting to daily life in one location. Seoul said it remodeled an existing youth startup facility, presenting it as a flexible public-facility model that can be repurposed as policy needs change.
Seoul said it will strengthen job connections through programs such as a trade marketing training course, business Korean classes and on-site work experience. It also plans to offer foreigner hiring information, resume and interview consulting, and “career fairs” to link students to actual jobs.
Support for stable settlement will run in parallel. Seoul said its “30 Days Around Seoul” program will offer cultural and company experiences, while TOPIK preparation classes and Korean-language meetups will help students adjust. The center will also provide information on visas, housing and daily life and support community activities to encourage local integration.
Seoul said it will expand the system through cooperation with universities and related institutions, including employment programs linked with the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency. It also plans to refine policies based on demand through communication with university international offices and international student associations.
“International students are already proven global talent,” said Lee Young-mi, Seoul’s official in charge of foreign residents and immigration. “Through systematic support that leads to employment and long-term settlement, we will make Seoul a city where global talent gathers and stays.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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