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Korean media report that next year's elementary school enrollment will drop below 300,000 for the first time, entering the 200,000 range, due to the low birth rate. Yonhap reports the number of first graders, born in 2020, is expected to fall below 300,000, with the Korea Times noting this is the first time. The Chosun Ilbo says the 400,000 mark collapsed in 2024, and now the 300,000 line will break just three years later. The Dong-A Ilbo reports that 2020-born children total 272,337, and enrollment, which exceeded 1 million in 1968, will drop to a quarter of that level in 59 years. The Kyunghyang Shinmun attributes the decline to the sharp drop in births in 2020, the 'COVID babies' year. Korean media express concern that rapid student decline will worsen the educational environment, accelerate school mergers, and lower the country's potential growth rate.