While the birth rate in South Korea remains extremely low, the ageing of the baby boomer generation is expected to result in a decrease in the working-age population and an increase in the elderly population, leading to serious social issues. Furthermore, it is forecasted that the majority of regions will enter a stage of population decline within the next few decades. Faced with these challenges, the government has actively pursued policies to attract foreign students to secure capable people and a productive workforce. As a result, as of 2023, the number of international students studying in South Korea exceeds 200,000. Foreign students studying abroad not only exhibit the identity of students but also display a diverse range of identities, such as workers, tourists, immigrants, and more. However, there needs to be more in-depth research and policy approaches regarding this phenomenon. Despite the steep increase in the number of international students, the domestic employment rate remains extremely low, thus hindering the transition of international students into permanent residents. The reasons for this low rate of domestic settlement include difficulties in academic performance during the study period, issues faced by foreign immigrants, and challenges in obtaining visas for postgraduation job hunting and employment. In addition to research focusing on analyzing the problems associated with international students and proposing alternatives, there is a need to accumulate studies that analyze the mobility of international students from a structural perspective and pay attention to their complex identities. Furthermore, a call for legislation, similar to Australia’s example, guarantees quality education and welfare for international students, moving away from current laws centred on management and control. Additionally, efforts are needed to overcome the phenomenon where a large proportion of international students originate from specific Asian countries and to develop programs and support policies aimed at diversifying the source countries of international students. International students also fall under the category of immigrants, alongside refugees, foreign workers, and marriage immigrants. Therefore, policies must be coherent and harmonized with policies addressing these other immigrant groups. Improvements in complex visa procedures and expanding employment opportunities through industry-academia partnerships are also necessary.
