'Procedures and Regulations Exist...' Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education Passive on Student Safety Issues

'Wipark Mareuk Park' Entry and Exit Road Planned Adjacent to Manho Elementary School Road

Nearby Residents Claim "Currently a Dangerous Area... Location Should Be Changed"

Education Office States "City Has Already Decided After Traffic Impac

Regarding the ‘Maruk Park Special Project New Apartment Construction’ in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, residents are concerned about the safety of the nearby elementary school, but the Gwangju Office of Education, which is responsible for the safety of students in the Gwangju area, is showing a passive attitude, drawing criticism.

According to Gwangju Metropolitan City and the Gwangju Office of Education on the 7th, the large-scale apartment complex ‘WePark Maruk Park’ is currently under construction in the former Baekseoksan area of Maruk-dong, Seo-gu.

Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education.

The complex consists of 15 buildings ranging from three basement floors to 20 above-ground floors, totaling 917 households, with completion targeted for 2025. Currently, site development and access road construction are underway.

Although it is noted as an eco-friendly complex, existing residents point out several issues.

Among these, residents highlight the location of the new apartment’s entrance and exit roads as a major problem. Two access points are planned, one of which is adjacent to the nearby Manho Elementary School.

This area already has narrow roads and heavy traffic, raising ongoing safety concerns during school commuting hours. With the construction of an apartment complex housing over 900 households, children’s safety is expected to be further threatened.

Therefore, residents are raising their voices demanding that the planned location of the entrance and exit roads be changed.

However, the Gwangju Office of Education, responsible for the safety of students in the region, has taken a passive stance. Since the project is led by Gwangju City and due to procedures and regulations, the education office claims it has no authority to provide opinions on safety issues related to the project. In other words, the education office states it does not have the right to present opinions on safety matters concerning this project.

In July last year, the education office participated in an ‘Educational Environment Evaluation.’ At that time, the office requested the location of construction vehicle access roads, deployment of safety personnel, and installation of signage. All the requests made by the education office were accepted after one more meeting.

However, it has been confirmed that the education office did not mention the location of the new apartment’s entrance and exit roads at that time or afterward.

Parents of Manho Elementary School students and nearby residents are voicing concerns that the safety issues for students are obvious, but the education office has taken no action, leading to growing criticism.

One parent said, “I don’t know if the education office officials came here in person and judged that there was no problem,” adding, “Gwangju city officials say ‘vehicles should be careful,’ and the education office seems uninterested, citing regulations and procedures. It’s frustrating to wonder who is thinking about the safety of our students.”

In response, an education office official said, “Before the Educational Environment Evaluation, the project plan was already set through traffic environment evaluations, etc. We are aware of the residents’ current claims, but the project is led by Gwangju City and there are procedures and regulations. The education office can proceed more smoothly only if the city initiates consultations or takes action first.”

Additionally, residents criticize that there are no measures for the increased number of students expected when about 900 households move in after the apartment is completed.

Manho Elementary School and Sangmu Elementary School are located on both sides of WePark Maruk Park. However, since the new apartment falls within the Manho Elementary School district, most students are expected to enroll there, prompting demands for countermeasures.

Regarding this, the education office says it is monitoring the situation carefully but currently does not expect a student influx large enough to require expansion of Manho Elementary School. Like most areas in Gwangju, the number of students at Manho Elementary has been decreasing. The student population was 1,012 in 2019, 957 in 2020, 952 in 2021, 925 in 2022, and 942 this year. The education office estimates that the maximum number of students induced by the new apartment next year will be 195.

An education office official stated, “The existing student population is showing a declining trend, and the influx will not happen all at once but gradually after completion. We will continue to monitor carefully, but so far, we do not see the need to expand Manho Elementary School.”

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