Jeonbuk 5 Cities and Counties Challenge as 'Education Development Special Zones'... 'Type 3' Regional Specialization

Governor and Superintendent Co-Chairs... "Preventing Local Talent Drain Through Innovation"

Five cities and counties in the Jeonbuk region are challenging themselves to become an 'Education Development Special Zone' that will lead regional development through educational innovation.

According to the Jeonbuk Provincial Office of Education on the 1st, a business agreement was signed on the same day in the second-floor auditorium between Jeonbuk Province, five cities and counties, seven universities, and seven companies and related organizations to promote the pilot project for the Education Development Special Zone.

On the 1st, a signing ceremony for the application of the 'Education Development Special Zone' in the Jeonbuk area. [Photo by Jeonbuk Office of Education]

The signing ceremony was attended by Seo Geo-seok, Superintendent of Education, Kim Kwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Province, and the heads of local governments from five cities and counties including Iksan, Namwon, Wanju, Muju, and Buan, as well as presidents from Gunsan University, Woosuk University, Wonkwang University, Wonkwang Health Science University, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju University, and Jeonju Vision University.

Seven related organizations and local companies, including KCC, Hyundai Motor Company Jeonju Plant, Hanpoong Pharmaceutical, Daedu Food, Camtic, Korea Food Industry Cluster Promotion Agency, and Taekwondo Promotion Foundation, also participated to support the promotion of the Education Development Special Zone.

The Education Development Special Zone is a comprehensive support policy in which local governments, education offices, universities, companies, and public institutions cooperate to innovate regional education, nurture local talent, and create a residential environment within the broader framework of regional development.

There are three types: Type 1, where basic local government heads and superintendents of education are the applicants; Type 2, where metropolitan local government heads and superintendents of education are the applicants; and Type 3, where two or more cities/counties along with the governor and superintendent of education apply together.

In the Jeonbuk region, Type 3 is applied, with Jeonbuk Province and Iksan, Namwon, Wanju, Muju, and Buan jointly planning a model tailored to regional characteristics and applying together.

▲ Creation of a public-type inclusive coupling special zone through the Iksan regional education community collaboration ▲ Development of an integrated education and residential city from Namwon Neulbom School to Glocal K-industry jobs ▲ Growth of local talent and creation of a sustainable regional residential ecosystem in Wanju ▲ Muju Taekwondo City, Muju County Taekwondo Education Development Special Zone ▲ Buan domestic wheat bakery education and industry special zone.

It is expected to actively respond to balanced development and population decline by fostering excellent local talent through quality public education locally and enabling employment within the region, creating a virtuous cycle.

The participating institutions in the agreement will actively cooperate in preparing the pilot area operation plan for the Education Development Special Zone, establishing education development strategies, building a local talent nurturing system, expanding support in the public education sector, and improving regional balanced development and residential conditions.

The pilot areas can apply until the 9th, and after review and resolution by the Local Era Committee, the Ministry of Education will make the final designation in early March.

The Office of Education and the province plan to strengthen administrative cooperation to ensure that as many cities and counties as possible are designated through the Ministry of Education's public contest and will provide financial support to the cities and counties designated as Education Development Special Zones.

Superintendent Seo Geo-seok said, "To overcome the population cliff crisis, educational institutions, local governments, companies, and communities must cooperate," adding, "I hope that the Education Development Special Zone promoted by the province and the Office of Education will become a representative model of the Republic of Korea."

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