Pohang and Sangju Receive A Grade, Gumi, Yeongcheon, and Yeongju Earn B Grade Among 13 Gyeongbuk Education Development Special Zone Pilot Areas

Ministry of Education's First-Year Performance Evaluation
5 Regions to Receive 500 Million to 1 Billion Won Each in Support

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education (Superintendent Lim Jong-sik) announced on the 13th that Pohang, Sangju, and Chilgok achieved outstanding results in the Ministry of Education's "2024 Education Development Special Zone Pilot Area First-Year Performance Evaluation" released on October 13, 2025.

This evaluation was conducted by the Ministry of Education for the 13 pilot areas designated within the province in 2024, assessing their first-year performance. The comprehensive evaluation covered the establishment of collaborative governance in the pilot areas, management of special grant fund execution, the willingness of local governments to pursue educational innovation, internal performance management, and exemplary cases.

Gyeongbuk Office of Education

The "Education Development Special Zone Pilot Project" is a core national balanced development policy of the Ministry of Education, in which local governments, offices of education, universities, local businesses, and public institutions cooperate to comprehensively support educational innovation, nurture local talent, and create a settlement ecosystem.

The pilot operation period runs for three years, from 2024 to 2026. In Gyeongbuk, 13 areas, including Pohang, Gimcheon, and Andong, were designated as pilot areas in 2024. With the addition of Gyeongju and Mungyeong in 2025, a total of 15 areas are now being operated as pilot regions. Each area is promoting projects centered on educational development models that reflect the unique characteristics of the region.

According to the evaluation results, Pohang and Sangju received an A grade, while Gumi, Yeongju, and Yeongcheon received a B grade. Chilgok was upgraded from a managed area to a leading area. Additionally, Gyeongsan and Bonghwa, which were previously managed areas, will continue to operate as pilot areas.

Based on the evaluation results, the Ministry of Education will provide up to 1 billion won to A-grade areas and up to 500 million won to B-grade areas. Managed areas that are upgraded to leading areas are also eligible to apply for up to 500 million won in additional project funding for 2025, with benefits differentiated accordingly.

As a result, Gyeongbuk has secured eligibility to apply for additional project funding of up to 4 billion won in 2025.

Lim Jong-sik, Superintendent of the Gyeongbuk Office of Education, stated, "Based on these evaluation results, we will strengthen region-specific consulting and internal inspections in preparation for the 2025 annual evaluation. Moving forward, we will continue to provide administrative and financial support through close cooperation with local governments and related organizations to ensure that the pilot areas are officially designated."

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