International students entering Korea in the new semester of March must undergo a new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) diagnosis test three times. Entry will be denied unless a negative confirmation is submitted 72 hours prior to departure from the airport.

The Ministry of Education encourages international university students to take online classes in their own country, if possible, as last year. When entering the country, the university had to transfer international students from the airport and guided them to secure an independent place such as a temporary quarantine facility.

On the 27th, the Ministry of Education unveiled the'protection and management plan for foreign students in the first semester of 2021'.

Foreign students were asked to undergo gene amplification (PCR) diagnostic tests three times before and after entering Korea. 

First of all, international students must have a confirmation that they have undergone PCR tests within 72 hours before departure from their home country and have been tested negative. You cannot enter Korea without a voice confirmation.

One day after entering the country, they will undergo a PCR test again at the clinic having jurisdiction over the self-contained residence. Afterwards, additional PCR tests are performed before self-isolation for 14 days is released, and activity restrictions are lifted when negative is determined.

If the test received after submitting a negative confirmation form and after entering the country shows positive for Corona 19, they will be treated immediately.

Each university has to move international students from the airport to the university or residence, just like last year.

The Ministry of Education maintains the protection and management measures for each entry level in effect since February last year. The main purpose of the university is to provide transportation for foreign students in the country and to observe their health status.

Universities should plan their own entry plans for international students. Where possible, international students are encouraged to take online classes in their home country. Entry times should also be diversified so that they can be managed within the scope of their quarantine capabilities.

The Ministry of Education is planning to undertake stricter management of international students in countries subject to strengthening quarantine, such as the UK and South Africa, where the COVID-19 mutant virus was found. It is strongly recommended to the university to self-isolate international students from the relevant countries in separate dormitories and temporary quarantine facilities, and to check their health status (monitoring) at least twice a day.

It was found that 165 out of 56,000 international students who entered Korea from March to December last year when Corona 19 spread to the world were confirmed. After entering the country, 124 were confirmed during self-quarantine and 41 were confirmed at airport quarantine.

However, the Ministry of Education said, "There are no additional cases of transmission due to confirmed international students through the provision of exclusive transportation through cooperation between universities and local governments, preemptive inspections, and on-site support at universities."

In the aftermath of Corona 19, the number of international students entering Korea in the second semester last year decreased 84% compared to a year ago. From 190,1062 in the second semester in 2019 to 3,259 in the second semester in 2020.