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Introduction of Popular Elementary After-School Care Class... Hydrogen Economy Response Strategy

Busan Gijang County Office.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Seoul Jung-gu, the top performer in after-school care classrooms, and Wanju, Jeonbuk, which formed a hydrogen new industry task force, all say "Illuwa" to Gijang...

Following the directive of Busan Gijang County Mayor Oh Gyu-seok to learn from other local governments' successful projects even if it means copying them, Gijang County is actively moving.

Gijang County has embarked on two major projects to establish future strategies by benchmarking other leading local governments.

On the morning of the 2nd, a monthly work report meeting was held with the county mayor presiding, attended by the deputy mayor, heads of departments and divisions, and heads of five towns and townships.

Mayor Oh ordered the preparation of proactive administrative policies in anticipation of the post-COVID-19 era and the Green New Deal policy.

He evaluated, "Parental satisfaction with the Seoul Jung-gu type after-school care classroom is very high. During the COVID-19 crisis when there was an emergency care chaos, Jung-gu was able to operate the care classrooms stably, avoiding confusion. It is truly an admirable model."

He also emphasized, "The solution to the population cliff era is for the government and local governments to create an environment and conditions where children can be born. We should not rigidly separate government and local government projects but rather have the education office and local governments mutually win-win to create good models," and stressed reviewing a model suited to Gijang's conditions and environment, which is a level above the Jung-gu type after-school care classroom model.

The intention is to learn from the Seoul Jung-gu model, upgrade it further, and conduct a pilot project targeting newly established elementary schools within Gijang County.

Mayor Oh also introduced, "In line with fostering the hydrogen economy, a future high value-added national new industry, Wanju County in Jeonbuk has formed a 'Hydrogen New Industry Team' and is actively responding."

He suggested that Gijang County learn from this and review parts that can be introduced suitably to local circumstances and proceed accordingly.

Gijang County plans to visit Seoul Jung-gu Office to benchmark the after-school care classrooms, examine legal grounds, and review the introduction and operation of a Gijang-customized after-school care classroom.

The Jung-gu type after-school care classroom is a district-run care classroom where the school provides the venue, and the district supports costs such as care teacher salaries, operating until 8 p.m. It is operated for 1st to 3rd-grade elementary students, and the cost is entirely free.

A Gijang County official said, "We also plan to visit Wanju County Office in Jeonbuk to benchmark Wanju's response plan to the hydrogen industry, a future growth engine, and apply it to Gijang County."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.