"College is fine, but there is nothing more to wish for if you can get a job at Samsung Electronics or SK Hynix."

This was the scene at Chungbuk Semiconductor High School in Eumseong-gun, North Chungcheong Province, where an admissions briefing for the 2027 academic year was held on July 10.

Reflecting the unprecedented boom in the domestic semiconductor industry and the heightened interest following the school's recent feature in The New York Times (NYT), the school auditorium was packed with parents and students even before the event began.

The 340 seats on the first floor of the auditorium were filled early on, and the auxiliary seating at the back was so crowded that there was barely any room to stand.

Parents and students from all over the country, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Busan, Ulsan, and North Jeolla Province, as well as North Chungcheong Province, waited for the briefing to begin, browsing through pamphlets containing school information and chatting with one another.

A parent in their 40s surnamed Lee, who traveled from Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, said, "I think getting a job at a company like Samsung Electronics or SK Hynix might be a better choice for my child than going to college," adding, "I took a day off work to come here with my child when I heard they were holding a briefing."

A parent surnamed Choi (51), who attended the briefing with their middle school third-year son, said, "My child has enough grades to enter college, but we decided on this career path after seeing the growth potential of the semiconductor industry," and added, "We are visiting briefings for semiconductor high schools in various regions, not just this one, to find a school with high employment competitiveness."

Choi (15), a third-year middle school student who visited with a friend, smiled and said, "Chungbuk Semiconductor High School is famous in Eumseong for being a school where it is easy to get a job at major companies like Samsung Electronics or SK Hynix. I really want to enroll, so I am focusing my preparations on the interview."

In addition to students who came with friends or parents, there were also middle school students who attended in groups with their teachers.

A teacher surnamed Jeon, who is a homeroom teacher for third-year students at Baegun Middle School in Jecheon, said, "Many students hope to enter a semiconductor high school, so I brought the interested students to the briefing," adding, "I hope this helps the students see the school for themselves and make decisions about their career paths."

As the briefing began, attendees listened attentively, taking careful notes on the curriculum, employment status, and corporate-linked programs introduced by the school.

During the subsequent Q&A session, a barrage of questions followed regarding dormitory life, the admissions process, employment-linked programs, and the track record of placements at major companies.

A person surnamed Jang (70s) said, "At first, I thought it would be better to go to a regular university, but after coming here and listening to the explanation, I changed my mind a bit because the employment prospects seem good and the curriculum seems solid," adding, "I have become more positive about it as the semiconductor industry seems to have more prospects than I thought."

A current student at Chungbuk Semiconductor High School surnamed Kim said, "It seems like the interest in our school is much greater than when I enrolled," and added, "When I talk to friends at other specialized high schools, they say that companies where our students are frequently hired are very difficult to get into at their schools, and I think that is why there is so much interest in our school."

Chungbuk Semiconductor High School, which has recorded an employment rate of over 95% every year since its opening in 2010, will begin recruiting 96 new students for the 2027 academic year starting in October.

The recruitment consists of 84 students for general admission and 12 for special admission.

Seo Un-seok, principal of Chungbuk Semiconductor High School, said, "I believe the high employment rate, maintained through employment partnerships with about 150 semiconductor companies including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, has led to this interest from students and parents," and added, "We will continue to spare no support so that students can find employment at the companies they desire."

(Photo: Yonhap News)