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Korea is bracing for a historic low in elementary school enrollment next year, with the number of first graders expected to drop below 300,000 for the first time, according to data reported on Nov. 8. Yonhap reports the figure, based on children born in 2020, will mark the first time it falls under that threshold. Chosun Ilbo notes this comes just three years after the 400,000 mark was breached in 2024, and warns the rapid decline could worsen the education environment, accelerate school closures and mergers, and drag down the country's potential economic growth rate. Korean media frame this as the "low birth rate shock" becoming reality, with the Korea Times and KBS World also highlighting the growing impact of the country's declining birthrate.