Study warns free tuition may hinder low-income students' access to top universities
The South Korean government announced plans to fully waive tuition for new students at 30 regional national universities starting in 2027. However, research suggests that this generous financial support could inadvertently limit opportunities for economically disadvantaged students.
Students with strong academic records may opt for these tuition-free institutions instead of higher-ranked universities, which still require some tuition payment. This raises concerns that the government's free tuition policy could entrench educational inequality, effectively pushing low-income students to regional schools while wealthier students attend prestigious universities in Seoul.
According to a study released on September 4 by a research team led by Professor Jeong Dong-wook of Seoul National University, the impact of the national scholarship program on college and major selection varies by income level. The team analyzed longitudinal data from the Korea Employment Information Service, comparing cohorts from 2008, before the scholarship program was implemented, and 2018, when benefits were expanded, to track the college enrollment patterns of low-income students.
Visiting Hyundai Steel's first U.S. plant in Louisiana
About an hour's drive from downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, vast sugarcane fields stretch along the roadside. Venturing further down an unpaved road reveals a large, barren site where Hyundai Steel plans to build its 'HPLS Electric Arc Furnace Steel Mill,' with a total investment of $5.8 billion. The site currently appears desolate, making it hard to envision a steel mill.
However, by 2029, the landscape will change dramatically. The HPLS Electric Arc Furnace Steel Mill, a joint venture between Hyundai Steel and POSCO, is expected to produce 2.7 million tons of steel annually. This facility will be the first electric arc furnace-based integrated steel mill in the U.S., combining direct reduction processes and electric arc furnaces to reduce carbon emissions by over 70% compared to traditional blast furnace methods.
South Korea's exports surpass last year's total in just 248 days
As of 1 p.m. on September 5, South Korea's export figures reached $709.4 billion, exceeding last year's total exports. This milestone was achieved in just 248 days, driven primarily by a surge in semiconductor exports.
According to data released by the Korea Customs Service, the cumulative export amount of $709.4 billion is $1 billion higher than last year's total of $709.3 billion, marking a significant achievement 117 days earlier than last year.
From January to August, South Korea recorded the highest monthly export figures for each month, with June seeing exports exceed $100 billion for the first time, totaling $102 billion. July and August also reported strong figures of $99 billion and $98.3 billion, respectively.
The growth in exports has been largely attributed to semiconductors, which accounted for $281.2 billion in exports from January to August, a 169.6% increase compared to the same period last year, making up 40.6% of total exports of $693.3 billion.
Russia strikes Kyiv airport ahead of U.S. delegation's visit
As a U.S. delegation prepares to visit Russia and Ukraine, Russia has launched airstrikes on an airport near Kyiv. Ukrainian officials suggest the attacks may be timed to coincide with the U.S. delegation's visit.
On September 5, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia conducted targeted airstrikes on Kyiv and Boryspil airports overnight, describing it as a deliberate act after a long period of inactivity.
Zelensky indicated that the strikes were likely aimed at the U.S. delegation, which is expected to land at either Kyiv or Boryspil airport, and claimed that Iranian-made Shahed drones were used in the attacks.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, are expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow before traveling to Kyiv to meet with Zelensky on September 6. Zelensky had previously stated that he would ensure the normal operation of Russian airspace during their visit.
Housing prices rise in northern Seoul as southern areas decline
In the Seoul apartment market, price trends in the Gangnam and Gangbuk areas have diverged. While prices in Seocho and Gangnam districts are declining, the Gangbuk area, which includes Seongbuk and Nowon districts, has seen prices rise by around 0.5%, driving the overall increase in Seoul housing prices.
According to the Korea Real Estate Agency's weekly apartment price trends report released on September 3, the average price increase for Seoul apartments was 0.22%, a decrease of 0.07 percentage points from the previous week (0.29%). Although key areas in Gangnam are experiencing declines, the Gangbuk area is showing a notable upward trend.
Specifically, among the three major districts in Gangnam, Gangnam saw a price drop of 0.41%, an increase of 0.3 percentage points from the previous week, while Seocho recorded a decline of 0.23%, down 0.18 percentage points. Songpa's increase was minimal at 0.01%, approaching a stable range.
Conversely, the previously considered outer areas of Gangbuk are showing clear upward trends, with Seongbuk district recording the highest increase at 0.54%, followed by Jungnang at 0.52%, Nowon at 0.5%, and Gangbuk at 0.45%.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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