Sejong City: Studying in Korea's New Administrative Capital | Admissions.kr

A City Built from Scratch

Sejong City is one of the most ambitious urban experiments in the world. Designated in 2007 and inaugurated in 2012, Sejong is Korea's administrative capital — a planned city built from scratch to house the country's government ministries, reducing Seoul's concentration of political and administrative power.

Today, Sejong is home to approximately 390,000 residents (and growing rapidly), 36 government ministries and agencies, and a new urban landscape that feels unlike anything else in Korea. For international students, Sejong represents an unconventional but increasingly interesting option: a brand-new city with modern infrastructure, growing educational institutions, safety that ranks #1 in Korea, and proximity to Daejeon's research ecosystem.

Sejong is not for everyone — it is still developing, and its identity as a student city is nascent compared to established university towns. But for the right student, it offers a unique window into how Korea builds its future.

Why Sejong Exists

Understanding Sejong requires understanding Korean politics. Seoul's dominance over Korean life — economic, political, cultural — has been a source of tension for decades. Multiple administrations have attempted to redistribute government functions away from the capital, and Sejong City is the most successful result.

What Has Moved to Sejong

As of 2026, the following government bodies have relocated to Sejong:

Ministry/Agency	Function
Ministry of Education	Education policy for all of Korea
Ministry of Science and ICT	Science and technology policy
Ministry of Employment and Labor	Labor policy and employment services
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport	Urban planning, transportation
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs	Agricultural policy
Ministry of Environment	Environmental regulation
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family	Social policy
National Tax Service	Tax administration
Statistics Korea	National statistics
Korean Intellectual Property Office	Patent and trademark
+ 26 more agencies	Various government functions

What This Means for Students

The concentration of government ministries creates unique opportunities:

Policy internships: Government agencies in Sejong offer internship programs, some specifically targeting international students through multilingual outreach programs
Public administration studies: Students in political science, public policy, or public administration benefit from proximity to the actual machinery of Korean governance
Government data access: Statistics Korea and other data agencies are physically accessible for research
Stable employment: Government-linked jobs and contractors create a stable local economy

Educational Institutions

Korea National University of Transportation (KNUT)

KNUT is Sejong's primary university, with its main campus in Chungju (North Chungcheong) and a growing presence in Sejong. The university specializes in:

Transportation engineering: Reflecting Korea's investment in advanced transportation infrastructure
Aviation: Programs related to aerospace and aviation management
IT and software: Growing computer science and software engineering programs
Tuition: ₩2–3.5 million/semester (national university rates)

Hongik University Sejong Campus

Hongik University — famous for its art and design programs in Seoul — operates a branch campus in Sejong. While smaller than the main Seoul campus, it offers programs in design, architecture, and liberal arts.

Future University Development

Sejong's master plan includes space for additional educational institutions, and several universities are exploring Sejong campus development. The city government offers incentives to attract educational institutions as part of its growth strategy.

Research Connection to Daejeon

Sejong is only 30 minutes by bus from Daejeon, making KAIST, CNU, and the Daedeok Innopolis research institutes accessible. Some students choose to live in Sejong (cheaper and newer) while studying or researching in Daejeon. This hybrid arrangement works particularly well for graduate students whose schedules are flexible.

New Infrastructure: The Smart City

Sejong is designed as one of Korea's first fully planned smart cities. For residents — including students — this means a living environment that is newer and more efficient than almost anywhere else in Korea.

What Makes Sejong Different

Urban design: Sejong follows a "ring city" design with a central park at the core, government complexes arranged in a loop, and residential zones radiating outward. Unlike the organic chaos of Seoul or Busan, every element is planned.

Autonomous vehicles: Sejong is one of Korea's primary testbeds for autonomous vehicle technology. Self-driving buses run on designated routes — students can experience technology that is still experimental elsewhere.

Green infrastructure: Extensive parks, cycling paths, and green corridors. The Sejong Lake Park is a massive central green space with gardens, fountains, and cultural facilities.

Digital infrastructure: Smart streetlights, IoT-connected utilities, high-speed broadband throughout the city. Free public WiFi coverage is extensive.

New apartment complexes: Most housing in Sejong is new (built within the last 10 years), meaning modern facilities, good insulation, and contemporary design.

The "New City" Feel

Sejong's newness is both its strength and its weakness:

Strengths:

Everything is clean, modern, and well-maintained
Wide sidewalks, accessible buildings, excellent lighting
Low crime (safest city in Korea)
Air quality is better than Seoul
Housing is modern with good amenities

Weaknesses:

The city feels somewhat sterile — it lacks the organic character of older Korean cities
Commercial areas are still developing — fewer restaurants, cafes, and shops than established cities
Cultural life is limited — few museums, theaters, or entertainment venues
"Soul" is still being built — the community identity is not yet fully formed

Cost of Living

Sejong's costs sit in the middle range — cheaper than Seoul but slightly higher than comparable small cities due to new construction premiums.

Monthly Budget

Category	Sejong (₩)	Seoul (₩)	Notes
Rent (studio)	300,000–450,000	450,000–700,000	Modern units, reasonable prices
Food	250,000–370,000	350,000–500,000	Growing but still limited options
Transport	35,000–55,000	55,000–80,000	Bus-dependent, cycling popular
Utilities	70,000–120,000	100,000–170,000	Modern buildings = efficient
Entertainment	40,000–90,000	100,000–200,000	Limited options keep spending low
Health Insurance	70,000–90,000	70,000–90,000	Same
Monthly Total	765,000–1,175,000	1,125,000–1,740,000	~30% cheaper

Housing

Most housing in Sejong is apartment-based (Korean-style apartments in large complexes). Studio and one-room options are available near commercial areas:

Type	Rent	Deposit	Notes
Studio (one-room)	₩300,000–400,000	₩3–5 million	Modern buildings
Officetel	₩350,000–500,000	₩5–8 million	Self-contained with facilities
Shared apartment	₩200,000–300,000	₩2–4 million	Growing option
Goshiwon	₩250,000–350,000	Minimal	Limited supply

Transportation

Within Sejong

Sejong does not have a subway system. The city relies on:

BRT (Bus Rapid Transit): Sejong's BRT system runs on dedicated lanes through the city center, functioning like a surface subway. Fare: ₩1,400
Regular buses: Connecting residential areas to BRT stations and commercial centers
Cycling: Sejong has excellent cycling infrastructure — wide, dedicated bike paths connect most areas. Public bike-sharing is available
Autonomous buses: Select routes feature self-driving buses as a pilot program

Connections to Other Cities

Destination	Method	Time	Cost
Daejeon	Express bus	30 min	₩2,500
Seoul	Express bus	2 hr	₩10,000
Seoul	SRT (Osong Station)	45 min	₩17,500
Cheongju	Bus	40 min	₩3,000
Cheonan	Bus	50 min	₩5,000

Osong Station (15 minutes from Sejong by bus) is a KTX/SRT station that connects to Seoul in 45 minutes and Busan in 2 hours. This is the most practical way to access Seoul from Sejong.

The 30-minute bus connection to Daejeon is crucial — it means KAIST, Daedeok Innopolis, and Daejeon's commercial center are all accessible for study, research, and entertainment.

Lifestyle and Culture

What Sejong Has

Sejong Lake Park: The city's central green space with walking paths, gardens, a water light show, and cultural events
National Sejong Library: One of Korea's newest and most modern libraries, with extensive English-language collections and study spaces
Government complex tours: Several ministries offer public tours and open-house events
Cycling: The cycling network is among the best in Korea — flat terrain and dedicated paths make cycling a practical daily transport option
Jochiwon traditional market: The older Jochiwon area (predating Sejong City) has a traditional Korean market with local food

What Sejong Lacks (For Now)

Nightlife: Very limited — a few restaurants and bars near commercial areas, nothing comparable to Seoul or even Daejeon
Cultural venues: No major museums, concert halls, or theaters (yet)
Shopping: Basic retail is available (E-Mart, outlet stores) but no fashion or specialty shopping
International community: Small — the foreign population is primarily government-linked diplomats and public servants, plus a growing student population
Restaurants: Fewer options and less variety than established cities. The restaurant scene is growing but still limited

How Students Cope

Most Sejong-based students adopt a two-city lifestyle:

Daily life in Sejong: Studying, cooking, cycling, quiet evenings
Weekend activities in Daejeon: Entertainment, dining, socializing, shopping (30 minutes away)
Monthly trips to Seoul: Major events, networking, embassy visits (2 hours away)

Career Opportunities

Government Sector

Sejong's unique advantage is direct access to the Korean government:

Internships: Multiple ministries offer internship programs, including some targeted at international students (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and ICT)
Public policy research: Research institutes affiliated with government agencies hire student assistants
International cooperation: Government agencies handling international affairs (trade, development, education) value multilingual employees

Growing Private Sector

As Sejong's population grows, so does its private sector:

Construction and real estate: Ongoing city development creates jobs in urban planning and construction management
IT services: Government digitization projects require tech workers
Education: Korean language institutes and hagwon (cram schools) are expanding
Healthcare: New hospitals and clinics serving the growing population

Part-Time Work

Part-time options are more limited than in larger cities but include:

Tutoring: English tutoring demand from government employees' families (₩20,000–35,000/hour)
Restaurant and cafe work: Growing as more commercial spaces open
Translation/interpretation: Government agencies occasionally need language support

Practical Tips

Get a bicycle: Sejong is built for cycling. A used bicycle (₩100,000–200,000 from Danggeun Market) or the public bike-sharing system will be your most valuable possession.
Learn the BRT schedule: The BRT is the backbone of Sejong transit. Download the Sejong BRT app and memorize your key routes.
Stock your kitchen: With fewer restaurant options, cooking at home is more important in Sejong than in other cities. Invest in basic cooking supplies early.
Connect with Daejeon: Treat Daejeon as your extended backyard. The 30-minute bus ride makes KAIST seminars, Dunsan-dong shopping, and Daejeon social life accessible.
Use the National Sejong Library: It is world-class, free, and has excellent study facilities and English-language resources.
Embrace the newness: Sejong is still defining itself. Students who arrive now have the chance to shape its identity and community, rather than fitting into established patterns.

For a broader view of study options in the Chungcheong region, see our Cost of Living Guide which covers all 17 Korean provinces.

Is Sejong Right for You?

Choose Sejong if you:

Are studying public administration, policy, or governance
Want a modern, safe, well-planned living environment
Value proximity to both Daejeon (research) and Seoul (via KTX)
Prefer a quiet, focused lifestyle over urban excitement
Are interested in smart city technology and urban planning
Have a family and want safe, spacious, affordable housing

Consider other cities if you:

Want a vibrant social scene and nightlife
Need a large international student community
Require extensive English-speaking support
Want walkable access to diverse restaurants and entertainment
Are pursuing specialized programs not available in Sejong

Sejong City is Korea's answer to a question that most countries are still asking: what does a 21st-century capital look like? For students willing to be part of that answer — to live in a city that is literally being built around them — Sejong offers a once-in-a-generation experience. It is not the most exciting Korean city today, but it may be the most interesting.