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Busan Selected for Ministry of Justice Pilot Project on “Specialized Technical Departments for Junior Colleges”: Three Local Colleges Chosen

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Park Heong-joon, announced that three junior colleges in Busan have been finally selected for the Ministry of Justice’s pilot project for “Specialized Technical Departments for Junior Colleges,” establishing a foundation to systematically cultivate foreign technical professionals needed in local manufacturing industries.

This pilot project was launched to nurture international students equipped with capabilities and specialized technical skills in order to address workforce shortages faced by local small and medium-sized enterprises.

Among 22 universities nationwide that received certification for internationalization capacity, 16 were selected for the project. In Busan, three institutions were chosen in recognition of their specialized educational capacity in key regional industries such as machinery and automobiles: Kyungnam College of Information & Technology (Department of Mechanical Engineering), Dong-Eui Institute of Technology (Department of Mechanical Engineering), and Busan Institute of Science and Technology (Department of Automotive Engineering).

With this selection, foreign students admitted to the designated departments will receive exceptional visa incentives.

At the admission stage, students who meet the Korean language proficiency requirement (TOPIK Level 3 or higher) will be exempted from the financial capacity verification requirement for issuance of the D-2 student visa, significantly lowering entry barriers. During their studies, the permitted hours for part-time employment alongside academic work will be expanded from 30 hours to 35 hours per week, supporting students’ financial independence.

In particular, employment and settlement benefits after graduation are substantial. Graduates of the designated departments who meet the Korean language requirements (such as completion of Level 4 of the Social Integration Program) and secure employment with a company related to their major will be eligible for the newly established “Regional Industry Core Talent (K-CORE, E-7-M)” visa. Furthermore, those who work for more than five years under this visa, or who remain employed for at least three years at the same company within a region experiencing population decline, may apply for the F-2 residence status, which allows long-term stay.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “This selection marks an important turning point in enabling Busan’s universities to directly cultivate customized global talent that meets the needs of local industries. Busan Metropolitan City will spare no effort in providing comprehensive support—from visa assistance to employment linkage—so that outstanding international students can study and acquire technical skills in Busan and settle stably as members of our local community.”