New enrollment at elementary schools hits historic low (JoongAng/7 Feb 2025)

JoongAng Daily reports that South Korea’s elementary school enrollment has hit a historic low, reflecting the ongoing decline in birth rates. Nationwide, new student numbers continue to fall, forcing school closures, particularly in Seoul and provincial areas. Some schools now have only one incoming student, while others have none. Authorities are repurposing closed schools for community use as the shrinking school-age population accelerates the trend.