The number of students with North Korean backgrounds has approached 3,000, marking a sevenfold increase compared to two decades ago. While the student population continues to grow, the dropout rate among these students remains higher than that of their peers, underscoring the need for enhanced educational support.
On Monday, a report from the office of Rep. Kang Kyung-sook of the Rebuilding Korea Party, a member of the National Assembly’s Education Committee, revealed that the number of North Korean background students reached 2,915 in 2025, the highest figure recorded since data collection began in 2005.
North Korean background students refer to those enrolled in schools who are either North Korean defectors or children of North Korean defectors (including those born in third countries and South Korea). Last year, 290 students (9.9%) were born in North Korea, 1,019 (35.0%) were born in third countries, and 1,606 (55.1%) were born in South Korea.
The number of North Korean background students, which stood at 421 in 2005, surpassed 1,000 in 2009 (1,143 students) and exceeded 2,000 in 2013 (2,022 students). In the past five years, the figures were as follows: 2,287 in 2021, 2,061 in 2022, and 1,769 in 2023. However, with the inclusion of students born in South Korea in 2024, the number rose again to 2,645.
The primary concern is that the dropout rate among these students is higher than that of general elementary, middle, and high school students. Students from North Korea or third countries face challenges due to differing curricula, gaps in learning, and unfamiliar language environments.
A survey conducted by the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI) on the dropout rate of North Korean youth in the 2024 academic year found that 2.2% of these students had dropped out, double the dropout rate of 1.1% for students across all levels during the same period.
By school level, the dropout rate for high school students with North Korean backgrounds was 4.4%, higher than that of middle school students (2.0%) and elementary students (0.5%). Compared to the dropout rate of general high school students (2.1%), North Korean background students have a rate approximately 2.1 times higher.
In response to these challenges, education authorities have been providing targeted support for North Korean background students.
Education offices are implementing mentoring programs to help students with basic academic skills and provide psychological and emotional counseling, along with specialized intensive education for those struggling with the Korean language. The KEDI North Korean Youth Education Support Center is also conducting language development therapy programs and long-term mentoring lasting over two years.
However, as indicated by the dropout rates, students continue to face difficulties with the Korean language and overall learning. Experts emphasize the need to strengthen tailored guidance and institutional support moving forward.
Rep. Kang stated that the fact that the dropout rate for North Korean background students is twice that of general students signals who our education system is leaving behind. She stressed the urgent need for legislation to enhance customized learning support and professional counseling systems.
