As South Korea navigates a historic demographic shift and a booming industrial landscape, the nation is aggressively opening its doors to international students and professionals. To understand how these high-level policies translate into real-world opportunities, we spoke with Prof. Kang Sung Lee, a distinguished expert who has shaped Korea’s labor landscape from the highest levels of government.
Below, Prof. Lee shares his expert analysis on why South Korea is becoming a premier destination for global careers and the specific steps students must take to succeed in this competitive yet rewarding market.
1. You’ve worked closely with both the government and universities—how has that shaped your view of education and employment in South Korea today?
I served as a professor in Korea for approximately 25 years and also worked for two years as Secretary to the President of the Republic of Korea for Employment and Labor. While my professional knowledge and experience as a professor have provided an important foundation for developing policies in the fields of employment and labor relations in the Republic of Korea, the practical experience I gained leading Korea’s employment and labor policy at the Office of the President has been equally invaluable.
This experience has greatly contributed to my understanding of how university education should be structured to ensure its relevance and applicability in industrial and workplace settings. Given the rapid changes in today’s corporate environment, it is crucial that university education becomes more effective in cultivating the skills and talents that companies actually need. This can be achieved through active collaboration and exchanges with the industry, ensuring that education keeps pace with the evolving demands of the workplace.
2. What would you say are the biggest reasons international students are choosing South Korea as a study destination right now?
Although Korea has achieved the status of an advanced economy, it faces a severe demographic challenge. It has the lowest birth rate in the world (0.68 in 2024) and is rapidly entering a super-aged society. As a result, labor shortages caused by a declining school-age population and an aging workforce are becoming increasingly severe, particularly in industrial sectors. In response, the Korean government is actively promoting the recruitment of foreign workers and the attraction of international students, alongside a range of policies aimed at increasing the birth rate.
At the same time, changes in the global environment for overseas education are making studying in the United States increasingly difficult. Moreover, in developed regions such as the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia, securing employment after graduation has become more challenging. In contrast, studying in Korea offers the advantage of relatively straightforward access to post-graduation employment visas (such as the E-7 visa) and opportunities for long-term, high-quality employment. For these reasons, I strongly encourage Indian students to consider studying in Korea.
3. For students thinking about studying in Korea, which courses or fields of study tend to lead to the best career opportunities?
Most Korean students prefer to work in the Seoul metropolitan area and tend to avoid physically demanding or challenging occupations. As a result, industrial complexes in regional areas, as well as labor-intensive industries, are facing significant labor shortages.
Consequently, fields such as Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Semiconductors, Bio-convergence, Computer and Electronic Engineering, Aviation, and Hotel and Culinary Services—many of which are concentrated in regional industrial complexes—offer strong employment prospects and relatively accessible job opportunities after graduation. In addition, as population aging continues to accelerate, demand for long-term care workers is increasing rapidly, making the caregiving sector another promising career path.
4. How well do Korean universities really prepare students for real-world jobs and industry expectations?
Many universities in Korea are undertaking the following initiatives to cultivate industry-ready talent aligned with corporate needs:
1) Industry–University Joint Projects
Universities collaborate closely with companies in relevant fields to conduct joint projects. Through these collaborations, students enhance their problem-solving capabilities while gaining firsthand insight into current industry practices, emerging trends, and technological developments.
2) On-Site Training Opportunities
Through industry–academia cooperation, universities provide students with practical experiences such as internships, field training, joint projects, and on-site visits, enabling them to develop job-ready skills in real working environments.
3) Guest Lectures by External Experts
By inviting industry professionals to deliver guest lectures, students acquire up-to-date knowledge of technological innovations and industry challenges, while also building valuable professional networks. Jungwon University, in particular, offers customized programs in fields such as bio-convergence, electronics, semiconductors, and mechanical engineering, fostering close partnerships with relevant companies.
4) Industry–Academia Collaboration Programs
Through sustained industry–academia partnerships, students are continuously exposed to opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to practical contexts, including real-world projects, simulations, and case studies.
5. Many students worry about life after graduation—what does the post-study employment landscape actually look like in South Korea?
As noted above, many companies in Korea are facing severe labor shortages. Consequently, international students who major in science and engineering at regional universities such as Jungwon University can obtain a specialized employment visa (E-7 visa) by achieving Level 3 or higher on the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) prior to graduation. This enables them to secure employment relatively easily with local companies.
This situation stands in sharp contrast to the increasingly challenging employment prospects faced by international graduates in countries such as the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and Canada, making Korea an especially attractive destination for higher education. Furthermore, for students who wish to continue their academic careers, opportunities to pursue graduate studies after completing their undergraduate degrees are also readily available.
6. From your time as Secretary to the President, how is the government helping young people and graduates find their footing in the job market?
One of the key responsibilities of the Secretary to the President for Employment and Labor is to expand employment opportunities for high school and university graduates and to facilitate their smooth transition into the labor market. Korea’s college enrollment rate was once the highest in the world, exceeding 80%, and remains high at 76.2% as of 2023. This has contributed to a mismatch between educational attainment and labor market demand, resulting in persistent labor shortages, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In addition, many university graduates prefer stable, well-paid positions, which has led to lower employment rates and rising unemployment among young people.
To address this structural employment mismatch, the government expanded the number of Meister High Schools, which equip students with industry-relevant skills and enable them to secure employment immediately upon graduation. At the same time, policies were introduced to allow employed graduates to pursue higher education through evening or part-time university programs. Furthermore, the government implemented a range of support measures for SMEs to encourage greater employment of university graduates, thereby helping to alleviate labor shortages and reduce the mismatch between education and employment.
7. Are Korean companies truly open to hiring international graduates, and what do they usually look for in a candidate?
To obtain an E-7 visa and secure employment after graduating from university, a Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) score of Level 3 or higher is required. Moreover, in the context of a shortage of skilled professionals, achieving at least TOPIK Level 3 provides a significant competitive advantage for engineering graduates in the job market.
When recruiting foreign employees, Korean companies place importance not only on Korean language proficiency but also on personal qualities such as character, work ethic, and the ability to adapt to Korean corporate culture. Influenced by Confucian values, Korean workplace culture emphasizes hierarchy, respect for seniority, collectivism and teamwork, as well as strict adherence to commitments and punctuality. Therefore, for successful post-graduation employment, it is essential for students to acquire not only academic knowledge and technical skills during their university studies, but also a deep understanding of Korean culture and workplace norms.
8. How important is learning the Korean language for students who want to work in Korea after finishing their studies?
International students must obtain a Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) Level 3 or higher in order to secure employment after graduation. Korean language proficiency is an essential criterion, as both a university degree and a language certification are required to obtain a professional employment visa (E-7 visa). Jungwon University provides Korean language courses throughout all academic years and actively supports Indian students in achieving Korean language proficiency and certification.
In particular, achieving TOPIK Level 2 enables students to legally engage in part-time employment, allowing them to balance their studies with work and to help cover tuition and living expenses. Jungwon University places strong emphasis on Korean language education during the first year after admission, supporting students in attaining TOPIK Level 2 within one year.
9. What advice would you give to international students who hope to build a long-term career in South Korea?
As noted earlier, Korea is facing not only a demographic crisis resulting from its declining birth rate, but also a severe labor shortage in its industrial sector. In response, the Korean government has implemented a range of support measures to attract and retain highly skilled foreign workers.
International students who graduate from Korean universities and acquire both academic qualifications and Korean language proficiency are well positioned to secure employment and establish long-term careers in Korea. The E-7 visa granted to such graduates is not a short-term permit; it allows for an initial stay of five years or longer, with the possibility of extension. Furthermore, those who meet the relevant criteria may apply for permanent residency. In particular, high-demand fields such as engineering offer strong employment prospects and clear pathways to long-term professional development in Korea.
10. What are some of the most common challenges students face when moving from student life to professional life in Korea?
Korean companies have achieved rapid growth within a relatively short period, a success often attributed to intense internal competition combined with strong cooperation, the diligence and strong work ethic of employees, and a high level of organizational loyalty. Indian students who graduate and secure employment in Korea are expected to demonstrate strict punctuality, a strong sense of responsibility, and dedication to their work.
In addition, Korean society is deeply influenced by Confucian values and a collectivist culture, which emphasize respect for superiors and elders, close teamwork with colleagues, and strict adherence to deadlines and appointments. As these aspects of Korean corporate culture differ in some respects from those commonly found in India, it is essential for Indian professionals working in Korea to understand, adapt to, and integrate into this workplace environment in order to succeed.
11. Which industries in South Korea are currently growing the fastest and creating the most job openings?
Korean companies such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG, SK, and POSCO are global leaders in their respective industries, including semiconductors, electronics, automobiles, and steel. In addition, sectors such as bio-convergence, chemicals, and defense are also highly promising and continue to grow in strategic importance.
In response to these industry trends, Jungwon University is actively seeking to attract talented Indian students by offering English-taught programs in key disciplines such as semiconductors, bio-convergence, and mechanical engineering.
12. How much do internships, part-time work, or industry projects actually help a student get hired in Korea?
Most universities in Korea establish industry–university cooperation agreements (MOUs) with companies to support students’ employment after graduation. In particular, Jungwon University has signed such agreements with companies in key sectors including semiconductors, bio-convergence, and mechanical engineering. Through these partnerships, the university actively promotes on-site training, joint projects, and internship programs that are closely linked to post-graduation employment.
These initiatives enable students to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during their studies to real workplace environments, thereby enhancing job readiness and contributing to the university’s high graduate employment rate.
13. Looking ahead, how do you see South Korea’s job market changing over the next few years?
Korea’s labor market is expected to undergo significant transformation in the coming years due to multiple factors, including population decline and rapid aging caused by a persistently low birth rate, advances in artificial intelligence and automation, and intensifying global competition. In response, many companies are likely to pursue workforce optimization through automation and AI-driven innovation to address both labor shortages and rising labor costs. At the same time, to mitigate structural labor shortages and demographic decline, reliance on highly skilled foreign workers is expected to increase.
Accordingly, rather than relying solely on short-term labor solutions such as the Employment Permit System currently in place in Korea, policies aimed at attracting high-caliber international students to Korean universities are expected to expand. These policies focus on enabling foreign students to acquire advanced technical skills and Korean language proficiency, thereby facilitating their long-term integration into Korean society and the domestic labor market.
14. Compared to other popular places to study, what unique advantages does South Korea offer for a student's career?
South Korea is a global leader across a wide range of industries, with companies such as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG at the forefront of innovation, while also exerting strong global influence in cultural sectors such as K-pop and K-dramas. As a result, Korea has become an attractive destination for young people around the world and is widely regarded as a desirable place to visit and study. In addition, Korea is recognized as one of the safest countries in the world for foreigners to live in.
Moreover, Korea is one of the few countries in the world where international students can study abroad, achieve proficiency in the Korean language, and graduate from university, all while gaining relatively easy access to employment. This stands in stark contrast to the increasingly constrained job markets in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and Canada. For this reason, I strongly encourage Indian students to consider studying at Korean universities, where they can acquire advanced technical skills and secure meaningful employment opportunities.
15. Finally, what message do you have for students and parents who are looking at South Korea as a place for their future?
In the 1960s, South Korea was among the poorest countries in the world, with a per capita income of less than 100 USD. Today, it has successfully achieved both democratization and rapid industrialization, joining the ranks of advanced economies not only in economic terms but also in cultural influence. This transformation was made possible through the strong commitment of parents to their children’s education, government-led development strategies, the innovative and entrepreneurial efforts of business leaders, and the perseverance, dedication, and aspirations of individuals striving for success.
If Indian students choose to study in Korea and gain exposure to the country’s advanced industries, technologies, and culture, they will be well positioned to build successful careers in Korea after graduation. Moreover, this experience will provide lasting benefits for their future professional development, whether they pursue careers in their home country or in other parts of the world.
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