Foreign international students surpass 100,000... Vietnam becomes No. 1 in arrivals to Korea

According to the 2025 International Migration Statistics announced by the National Data Agency on the 9th, among entrants who stayed more than 90 days last year, foreign students and general trainees who came to Korea were counted at 108,000, the highest ever recorded. On the other hand, outbound travel by Korean nationals decreased due to factors such as the strong won, a slowdown in enthusiasm for studying abroad, and changes in population structure. Last year, the number of Korean nationals entering the country was 257,000, and those leaving was 233,000; both fell from the previous year, and the number of departures was the third lowest since statistics began in 2000. By nationality, Vietnam ranked first among domestic arrivals for the first time, with 98,000 people. China fell to second place with 94,000, followed by the United States. Overall, arrivals outnumbered departures, continuing the net inflow trend, but the scale was smaller than the previous year.