AmCham assures not against Koreans in foreign schools

AmCham assures not against Koreans in foreign schools

Apr 12, 2005

The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea says it is not against accepting Korean nationals into international schools here, amid heightening controversy over whether to admit Korean students.

"This is not to say that we would support a school for only foreign students that does not allow the admission of ethnic Korean students," AmCham said in a statement issued to counter claims by a comment made in local media by Chung Bong-ju, a lawmaker of the ruling Uri Party.

Chung claimed a high-ranking AmCham official had said that "it would be difficult to properly operate international schools if Korean nationals are accepted."

One of the thorny issues of foreign schools is international schools here serving as English-language institutes for Korean students. AmCham points out that the great volume of native enrollees speaking Korean in the hallways and playground has proved to be problematic.

"It is true that the foreign community would like to have more schools that offer a true international environment with English being the primary language," the chamber said. "The focal consideration then should be whether the school meets the global requirements in terms of facilities, accreditation, and most importantly, English as the primary language."
Residents from abroad here feel a lack of good-quality educational facilities for their children. Foreign investors say better schools for expatriated students are needed if Korea wants to attract investors, especially when the country is striving to earn the status as the hub of Northeast Asia.

"We recognize the unique need of foreign children because they have no alternative in Korea, while many Korean children do have sufficient Korean language skills to have other choices," AmCham said, emphasizing that "the international school being discussed is being propelled with the purpose to provide a quality educational environment for the foreign community as a way of attracting foreign direct investment."

The government on April 6 officially launched a plan to open the new international educational facility, Yongsan Foreign School, set to be completed in May 2006. The school to be built in Seoul's Hannam-dong area, is the result of the concerted efforts of the Korea Foreign School Foundation, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy. The new school will accept up to 1,000 students. Enrollment of Korean nationals will be restricted to those who have lived abroad for more than five years.

According to a poll conducted last December on more than 200 expatriates by the Korea Trade Promotion Agency's Invest Korea, 68.8 percent cited inadequate foreign schools as one of the most pressing problems.

Regulations on foreign school enrollment are now being drafted by the Ministry of Education and the ruling Uri Party.