Korea baffled by continued brain drain Posted : 2021-02-21 16:24 Updated : 2021-02-21 16:52 Rep. Lee Joo-hwan of People Power Party speaks during the government audit of the trade and SMEs ministry at the National Assembly, Oct. 7. Yonhap By Lee Kyung-min The decrease in highly educated foreign talent in Korea continues to far outpace the number of their Korean counterparts leaving for advanced countries, fanning concerns that the Asia's fourth-largest economy is increasingly being shunned by the competent workforce crucial to bolster national and corporate competitiveness. The brain drain that is pronounced in the science and information technology (IT) sectors will only accelerate since no immediate improvement is expected concerning administrative inefficiencies defined by time-consuming paperwork compounded by low salaries and poor job security.