Korea-Singapore Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Announced
South Korean Foreign Minister Jo Hyun is scheduled to meet Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Seoul on May 28, 2026. This marks the first official bilateral visit by a Singapore foreign minister to South Korea in approximately 20 years, since George Yeo’s visit in 2007. It is also Balakrishnan’s first bilateral visit to Korea since taking office in 2015.
Balakrishnan will visit Korea after trips to China and North Korea (May 24–28). The two ministers are expected to review implementation of agreements from two previous summit meetings, discuss bilateral cooperation, exchange views on the Korean Peninsula situation, and discuss regional issues including the Middle East.
South Korea and Singapore elevated their relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” in 2025, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. President Lee Jae-myung made a state visit to Singapore in March 2026. Singapore is South Korea’s 2nd largest ASEAN trading partner, the world’s 4th largest investor in South Korea, and will serve as ASEAN Chair in 2027. The five priority cooperation areas include: politics and security, trade and economy, sustainability and green economy, advanced technology and R&D, and people-to-people exchanges.
Glocal University Evaluation Livestreamed; K-Higher Education Expands Overseas
South Korea’s Ministry of Education announced two education policy initiatives on May 25. First, the performance evaluation of specialized local universities (Glocal Universities) will be livestreamed on YouTube for the first time, enhancing transparency in regional university policy.
Second, the Ministry of Education and Chungnam National University will collaborate to expand K-higher education overseas and nurture “settlement-type international students” — foreign students who are supported to remain in Korea after graduation through employment and residency linkages. This initiative connects higher education policy with immigration strategy in the context of Korea’s demographic decline.
22nd Cabinet Meeting: Small Business Closure Support, Youth Pension, Growth Fund
The 22nd Cabinet Meeting (held May 20, 2026) approved 51 legislative items including laws and presidential decrees. Key welfare-related measures include:
- Small Business Support Act Amendment: New support for closed small businesses — shop demolition costs, legal/tax/management consulting, and an integrated online platform for closure-related information.
- Traditional Market Act Amendment: Support for small business owners to utilize vacant storefronts.
- National Pension Act Amendment: The government will cover the first month’s premium for new enrollees aged 18–27, or add one month to their contribution period.
- Employment Insurance Act Amendment: Paid fertility treatment leave extended from 2 to 4 days.
- Disability Rights Guarantee Act: Five-year disability policy master plans mandated; policy governance restructured.
- National Medical School Establishment Act: National graduate medical school to be established; graduates must serve 15 years in designated facilities to strengthen regional essential healthcare.
- National Growth Fund: Outline announced for a public-participation investment fund.
Sources
- MOFA Press Release: Korea-Singapore FM Meeting (2026.05.25)
- MOE Press Release: Glocal University YouTube Evaluation (2026.05.25)
- MOE Press Release: K-Higher Education Overseas Expansion (2026.05.25)
- 22nd Cabinet Meeting Briefing (2026.05.20)
Source: https://www.korea.kr/briefing/pressReleaseView.do?newsId=156763354&call_from=rsslink