The Ministry of Science and ICT will significantly expand the scope of support programs that help overseas researchers settle in Korea. Previously run mainly for the four institutes of science and technology and government-funded research institutes, the programs will now extend to strong general universities to actively back the inflow and long-term stay of foreign researchers in Korea.
The Ministry of Science and ICT said on the 25th that it will expand the eligibility for the full-cycle settlement support program for overseas researchers. As a result, researchers at 27 campuses, including Kangwon National University, which is among the universities selected for the K-Star visa, have been newly added to the eligible pool.
Starting this year, the support programs will become more diverse. First, consulting will be expanded to resolve administrative difficulties that foreign researchers working in Korea face, such as visas, taxes, and real estate, and a counseling program will be newly introduced. The aim is to ease the emotional burden that can arise during research and daily-life adaptation and to support stable research activities.
A job-readiness internship program will also be established so that foreign talent who have completed their studies can remain in Korea and continue their careers. Through this, the government plans to strengthen linked support that connects study abroad to employment and settlement.
In the second half of the year, a dedicated settlement-support platform for foreign researchers will be built. Through this, the government plans to provide information needed for staying and conducting research in Korea in a more systematic way and to reduce information gaps that have arisen depending on institution or region.
Not only individual researchers but also institutions can participate in the programs. Details can be found at the Global Lounge within the K-Club of the National Institute of Science and Technology Human Resources Development (KIRD).
Director-General of Future Talent Policy Lee Jun-bae at the Ministry of Science and ICT said, "We will strengthen support so that outstanding overseas talent can ease the burdens they face in the settlement process and focus on research," and added, "We will closely ensure that the necessary support from recruitment to settlement is thoroughly provided on the ground."