31,000 Chinese International Students' Entry to Korea Deferred... Many Expected to Take Leave of Absence

February 28 Korea-China Agreement on 'Restricting Student Entry and Exit'... Entry Cancellation Rate Around 80%

Amid the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), on the 24th, a Chinese international student arriving from China was having the self-diagnosis app installation and Korean address checked by an airport staff member at the arrival information desk at Incheon International Airport.
Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Approximately 45% of Chinese international students enrolled in domestic universities have postponed their entry into Korea due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

According to the Ministry of Education on the 10th, out of 67,876 Chinese international students enrolled in domestic universities, 30,955 (45.6%) have not yet traveled from China to Korea.

An official from the Ministry of Education explained, "It is still uncertain whether these students will take a leave of absence this semester or enter the country after the COVID-19 situation stabilizes," adding, "The proportion of Chinese international students taking a leave of absence will be compiled later."

Most of the Chinese international students who have not yet entered the country are expected to take a leave of absence this semester or attend classes online. According to Ministry of Education guidelines, universities have recommended leave of absence to international students and decided to provide online classes.

The education ministries of Korea and China agreed on the 28th of last month to mutually refrain from international student entry and exit.

The Ministry of Education stated that between February 29 and March 7, 6,230 Chinese international students were scheduled to enter Korea, but only 1,327 (21.3%) actually did.

About 80% of the Chinese international students who planned to enter canceled their entry.

Since March 3, the number of Chinese international students entering Korea has dropped to several dozen per day.

On the 3rd, 59 students entered; on the 4th, 33; on the 5th, 67; on the 6th, 69; and on the 7th, 48. During the same period, the cancellation rate was between 70% and 80% daily.

So far, among the Chinese international students who have entered Korea, one student has been confirmed positive. The student, enrolled at Gangneung Catholic Kwandong University, was treated at Samcheok Medical Center and discharged on the 9th.

Meanwhile, 25,904 Chinese international students returned from China during this winter vacation. Among them, 20,409 (78.8%) entered before the end of February and completed self-quarantine in dormitories or one-room apartments.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.