Assemblyman Seodongyong Welcomes Gwangyang "Hwanggeum District Integrated School Middle Investment Passed"

Conditional Approval by Ministry of Education... Rapid Progress Toward 2026 School Opening

Ministry of Education Sets Condition: "Ensure Commuting Safety at Nearby Schools Until Opening"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] National Assembly member Seo Dong-yong expressed his welcome regarding the Ministry of Education's central investment review approval for the establishment of an integrated school, which had been a wish of prospective residents of apartments in the Hwanggeum District, Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do.

According to Seo Dong-yong, a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, and Gurye-eul), the Ministry of Education conditionally approved the central investment review for the establishment of the integrated school in Hwanggeum District, conducted from the 25th to the 27th of last month.

The condition presented was that "until the integrated school is completed, the safety of commuting routes for Hwanggeum District students who are dispersedly assigned to Golyak Elementary and Golyak Middle Schools must be secured."

With the conditional approval completed, it is expected that the opening of the integrated elementary, middle, and high school within Hwanggeum District could be possible as early as 2026.

Previously, Assemblyman Seo Dong-yong received complaints from prospective residents regarding the establishment of schools in Hwanggeum District and made considerable efforts to minimize inconveniences by seeking solutions together with officials from the Jeollanam-do Office of Education, Gwangyang City, and Gwangyang Education Support Office.

During this process, he analyzed the population inflow trends into Hwanggeum District and shifted the direction toward establishing an integrated elementary, middle, and high school.

Furthermore, at the Jeonnam Office of Education's national audit held on the 12th, Assemblyman Seo strongly urged Superintendent Kim Dae-jung to respond more actively "to alleviate students' inconveniences."

In particular, on the 20th, just before the central investment review, Assemblyman Seo invited the Director-General of the Ministry of Education's Educational Welfare Policy Bureau, officials from the Local Education Finance Division, and the Local Education Finance Research Institute to his office, emphasizing the necessity of the new school and obtaining positive responses.

Assemblyman Seo Dong-yong expressed his welcome for the Ministry of Education's conditional approval.

He stated, "Our role is to support students so that they can focus on their studies in an optimal educational environment and engage in educational activities safely. Although it was a difficult process, I am grateful that the school establishment can be realized."

However, he added, "To walk to nearby elementary schools from Hwanggeum District, students must cross a six-lane road and walk for more than 40 minutes. Since the area is adjacent to the port and mainly large trailers and trucks pass through, the commuting environment is very poor. Therefore, I ask the local community to come together with wisdom to fulfill the Ministry of Education's conditions."

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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