The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has temporarily suspended the issuance of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for students planning to study in South Korea. The decision comes in response to a rising number of complaints from Nepali students currently residing in South Korea.

Why Was the NOC Suspended?

The suspension follows multiple reports from students who have been facing hardships during their stay in South Korea. Several students reached out to the Nepali Embassy in Seoul with concerns regarding their academic journey and daily challenges. These concerns were then forwarded to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which subsequently communicated the matter to the Ministry of Education for further action.

Neelkantha Dhakal, Information Officer at the Ministry of Education, stated:

“The embassy informed the Foreign Ministry that students are suffering in Korea. After receiving a letter from the Foreign Ministry, we suspended NOC distribution to understand the situation properly.”

Challenges Faced by Students in South Korea

Many Nepali students travel to South Korea with hopes of quality education and better opportunities. However, students are required to first complete a Korean language course before enrolling in academic programs. This language barrier, coupled with difficulties in securing employment and adapting to a new environment, has led to significant distress among students.

Some students have reported problems both during their language training and after gaining university admission, particularly with part-time job availability and living conditions.

NOC Statistics for South Korea

In the past five years, the Ministry of Education has issued a total of 31,973 NOCs to students aspiring to study in South Korea. Notably, around 10,000 NOCs were issued in the Nepali calendar year 2081 alone.

This makes South Korea the sixth most popular study destination for Nepali students, reflecting its growing appeal among youth seeking higher education abroad.

What’s Next?

The Ministry of Education has not announced a timeline for lifting the suspension. The halt will remain in place until a comprehensive understanding of the situation is achieved and potential solutions are identified.

Students planning to pursue education in South Korea are advised to stay updated through official channels and prepare alternative plans in the meantime.