Number of Korean Elementary School Students Overseas Doubles
According to press reports, the number of elementary and middle school students studying overseas doubled over the past two years. The Korea Times reported that “In 2007, a total of 15,237 children from elementary and middle schools left Korea, compared to 7,090 in 2005. Most studied overseas for six months or longer, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. The departure of those in primary schools has shown a two-fold increase each year since 2005. It rose to 8,298 in 2007 up from 2,453 in 2005. Middle school students showed a moderate increase from 2,520 in 2005 to 4,379 last year. However, the number of high school students studying overseas is falling. Peaking at 3,466 in 2006, the figure dropped to 2,560 last year”