Yun Byeong-tae, Mayor of Naju, Proposes Education Policy During Meeting with Chairman Lee Baeyong

Published 09 Feb.2023 14:05(KST)

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yuk-bong] Yoon Byung-tae, mayor of Naju, Jeollanam-do, visited the Presidential Commission on National Education to request support for expanding educational infrastructure, a key residential issue in Bitgaram Innovation City.

According to the city on the 9th, Mayor Yoon recently met with Lee Bae-yong, chairman of the National Education Commission, at the Seoul Government Complex, explaining the educational conditions in the innovation city, which are cited as a factor hindering the accompanying relocation of families of employees of relocated public institutions, and proposed policy support to enhance educational capabilities.

Yoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju City, Meets with Lee Bae-yong, Chairperson of the National Education Commission, Requests Government Policy Support to Improve Educational Conditions in the Innovation City
[Photo provided by Naju City]

Mayor Yoon stated, “Although innovation cities were created through the relocation of public institutions for regional balanced development, employees of relocated public institutions are reluctant to relocate with their families due to poor educational conditions,” adding, “It is necessary to establish various types of schools within the innovation city to guarantee students’ right to choose schools and to create customized educational environments for individual students.”

He then met with Oh Seung-geol, Director of the Ministry of Education’s Responsible Education Policy Office, to engage in broad discussions related to the operation of ‘contract-type public high schools’ targeting high schools located in innovation cities, designation of Naju as an ‘Education Free Zone,’ as well as the establishment of Neulbom School, introduction of the IB curriculum, and the complexification of school facilities, all aimed at creating a premium education city during the 8th local government administration.

The contract-type public high school is a Korean version of the American charter school, characterized by receiving government budget support while autonomously operating the educational curriculum.

The Ministry of Education announced that it will pilot the ‘contract-type public high school’ centered on innovation cities from next year to improve residential conditions by fostering prestigious local high schools, drawing considerable attention.

Additionally, the ‘Education Free Zone,’ scheduled for pilot operation next year, is a system that significantly relaxes regulations and guarantees autonomy in areas such as the establishment of elementary, middle, and high schools by local governments, operation of curricula, and teacher recruitment.

Mayor Yoon said, “Overcrowding in kindergarten, elementary, and middle school classes located in the innovation city has persisted for several years, severely affecting not only parents’ satisfaction with their children’s education but also causing significant student outflow outside the area,” adding, “We will continue consultations with the Ministry of Education and the Provincial Office of Education regarding the establishment of new schools.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Yoon also requested Chairman Lee Bae-yong’s interest and support regarding the ‘UNESCO World Cultural Heritage registration’ of the Yeongsan River Mahan relics, which is being promoted to fully restore and establish the status of ancient Korean history.

The Naju area is considered the largest holder of Mahan-era relics, including the Naju Sinchon-ri gilt-bronze crown (National Treasure No. 295), gilt-bronze shoes excavated from the Naju Jeongchon tumulus (Treasure No. 2125), as well as numerous tumuli, pottery jars, and kiln sites.

There are a total of 606 Mahan-related relics in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, of which 151 sites (24.9%) are located in Naju. National institutions related to ancient history, such as the National Naju Cultural Heritage Research Institute (opened in 2005) and the National Naju Museum (opened in 2013), are also located in Naju.

While the tumulus groups of Silla, Baekje, and Goguryeo have been registered as World Cultural Heritage sites by region, and the Gaya tumulus group is also in the process of registration, the Mahan relics in the Yeongsan River basin are generally lacking in cultural property designation, research, investigation, promotion, and development.

Since the launch of the 8th local government administration, the city has been promoting projects aimed at ‘globalizing the uniqueness and historicity of Mahan culture’ with goals such as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage registration and attracting the National Mahan History and Culture Center.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “I hope you will support the establishment of a promotion committee for World Cultural Heritage registration and the expansion of public consensus so that the Mahan historical culture, which possesses the uniqueness of Yeongsan River culture, can be globalized and lead the development of Jeollanam-do.”