"Rather Than Endure a 1.5 Million KRW Stipend, I'd Rather Earn 500 Million in the U.S." Top Talent from SNU and KAIST Are Leaving [Scientists Are Disappearing] ①

Graduate Student Numbers Hit Record High... Over Half of the Increase Concentrated in Seoul Metropolitan Area

'Regional Hollowing, Talent Mismatch, and Foreign Dependence' Hidden Behind Quantitative Growth

Editor's NoteThe statement that "scientists are disappearing" may sound like an exaggeration. After all, the number of graduate students in STEM fields and investment in research and development (R&D) have both been maintained in terms of figures. However, the reality at research sites reveals a very different picture: unfilled graduate programs, prolonged postdoctoral researcher (postdoc) periods, and quiet, stagnant laboratories in regional universities. Through this special series, The Asia Business Daily explored the question, "Why are scientists disappearing?" We sought solutions on how both policy and the research field must change in order to create a South Korea where scientists can continue their research careers for the long term.

In February of this year, Junhyeon Kim (28, pseudonym), who received a master's degree in science and engineering from a university in Seoul, is set to leave for the United States in August to pursue a PhD in robotics. He could have chosen to study for his doctorate at Seoul National University or KAIST and then work at a research institute. However, after seeing colleagues and seniors endure years as researchers living on a monthly stipend of 1.5 million won, only to face an uncertain future during the postdoctoral researcher (postdoc) period before becoming a full-time researcher, he decided to commit to an American university. At an American university, he can earn a monthly teaching assistant (TA) stipend of $3,000 (about 4.51 million won) while pursuing his PhD, and after graduation, he views the prospect of landing a job at a global company such as Meta or Alphabet, with an annual salary of 400 to 500 million won, as an attractive opportunity.

Corridor of the government-funded research institute 'K Research Institute' located in Daejeon. Although only doctorate holders are selected as researchers here, the competition rate for new researcher recruitment reaches 70 to 1. Photo by Kim Jonghwa

This is the era of 80,000 graduate students in STEM fields. Judging by the numbers alone, the future of Korean science and technology may look bright, but the career paths of PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers—the backbone supporting future scientists—are increasingly unstable. There are growing warnings that the golden time for science and technology in Korea is running out, and that simply increasing the number of graduate positions is not enough to sustain the system.

The Paradox of Numbers: The Total Headcount Has Grown, but 'Regional' Presence Has Disappeared

According to statistics from the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI) released on May 19, the number of students enrolled in natural sciences and engineering at general graduate schools (excluding professional and special graduate schools) increased from 73,869 in 2021 to 88,111 in 2025. This represents a rise of 14,242 students (19.3%) over four years, reaching an all-time high. In contrast, the school-age population (ages 18–21) has dropped sharply from 2.2 million to around 2 million over the same period, meaning the graduate school enrollment rate relative to the population has risen steeply.

The problem is that the fruits of this "growth" have been concentrated exclusively in the greater Seoul area. More than half (56.8%, or 8,086 students) of the increase of 14,242 students went to universities in the Seoul metropolitan area. The proportion of students in this region grew from 45.6% in 2021 to 47.4% in 2025.

Meanwhile, research labs at regional universities are facing a crisis of survival. While the numbers suggest that the number of students enrolled outside the capital has also slightly increased, the reality experienced on the ground is quite different. Hyesun Lee, associate research fellow at the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), explained, "In regional areas, except for a few major national or specialized universities, small and medium-sized university laboratories are unable to recruit new students at all and are being forced to close down. The gap between the statistical increase in total headcount and the hollowing out of local research sites has reached its peak."

'No Suitable Positions,' 'No Right Talent'

Experts attribute the current crisis not to a shortage of manpower but to a mismatch.

First, there is a severe concentration in certain fields. While government support is heavily focused on semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and secondary batteries, drawing talent to these popular fields, it has become difficult to find PhD holders in basic sciences or less popular engineering disciplines.

At the same time, there is a significant gap between the expectations of academia and industry. Associate research fellow Lee said, "Universities focus on academic depth and train students accordingly, but industry demands practical, job-ready technical skills. Every year, new PhD holders graduate, but companies say, 'There is no one to hire,' while PhDs say, 'There is nowhere to go,' resulting in a paradox that keeps repeating."

Foreign 'Stand-ins' Keep the Labs Running... Regional Universities Already Near 80%

Foreign students are now filling the vacancies left by domestic students. As of 2025, there are 8,554 foreign students enrolled in natural sciences and engineering at general graduate schools, accounting for nearly 10% of the total. In PhD programs alone, 11.2% are foreign students.

This figure also hides the "trap of averages." At private universities outside the capital, there are many labs where foreign students make up as much as 80% of the cohort. Without international students, these labs can no longer function, turning them into "foreign-dependent models."

An official at a government-funded research institute, who requested anonymity, said, "Most foreign students either return to their home countries after earning their degrees or move to research institutes overseas that offer better conditions. While the operation of labs may continue, it is difficult to expect the accumulation of long-term research know-how at the national level."

Professor Junpyo Kwon of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Ajou University commented, "Research, whether at a university, research institute, or company, requires long-term training and a high level of intellectual accumulation, but the current reality is that the talent pool to support the long-term competitiveness of schools and the nation’s science and technology sector is at risk of weakening."

He added, "When students make career decisions, they weigh employment and economic stability, and level of compensation as important criteria, along with interest in research and academic achievement. From what I see in the field, students are most concerned about their career paths after earning a PhD, and many feel that none of the options—be it faculty positions, government-funded research institutes, or corporate research jobs—are reliably secure." He continued, "Even after earning a doctorate, the lack of a commensurate stable career path is the biggest burden for students."

Next article: [Scientists Are Disappearing] ②Only a 'One-Year Contract' Remains After the PhD

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