South Korean Children Face University Pressure from an Early Age
In South Korea, one of the countries where educational competition is at its peak, 4-year-old children are required to write a five-paragraph English essay in 15 minutes to be admitted to prestigious kindergartens. The Daechi-dong neighborhood in Seoul’s Gangnam district is especially referred to as the country’s “education capital.” Being accepted into kindergartens in these areas is considered the first step toward admission to South Korea’s prestigious SKY universities—Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University, all located in Seoul. To secure their children’s future, families invest heavily in private tutoring centers known as hagwons.
It is reported that in 2023, the amount spent on private education in South Korea exceeded 20 billion dollars. However, this intense academic race appears to have negative effects on children’s psychological well-being.
South Korea, which has the highest student suicide rate among OECD countries, reported that 214 students died by suicide in 2023. In response, some families are beginning to question the immense pressure of the education system and are seeking alternative paths.
One such parent is activist mother Kang Young-mi. Choosing to step outside the formal education system, she aims to prepare her daughter for a life built on social skills rather than an exam-focused future. Kang now advocates for education reform.
Experts also emphasize that South Korea’s current system, which largely overlooks emotional development, urgently needs to be re-evaluated.
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