Superintendent Kim Daejung Declares "Jeonnam as Korea's Silicon Valley"... Full-Scale Initiative for AI Talent Development

"Establishment of Energy Gifted High School and Complete Overhaul of Vocational High Schools"
Ambitious Blueprint for a Northeast Asian AI Valley Unveiled

On December 9, Jeonnam Superintendent of Education Kim Daejung presented an ambitious vision to establish a "Jeonnam-type AI Talent Development Ecosystem" that connects education, industry, and the region through the "AI·Energy Education Valley."

At a press conference held that day in the main conference room of the Provincial Office of Education, Superintendent Kim stated, "By making a major transition to AI education, we will create a virtuous cycle of nurturing people and creating jobs, ensuring that children in Jeonnam are the first to benefit."

Former Jeonnam Superintendent of Education Kim Daejung held a press conference at the Provincial Office of Education and presented a vision to realize the establishment of a "Jeonnam-type AI Talent Development Ecosystem Connecting Educational Industrial Areas." Photo by Lee Jungkyung

He emphasized, "Through this vision, Jeonnam will not only overcome the crisis of regional decline but also rise as a central hub shaping the future of South Korea." The core initiatives proposed by Superintendent Kim can be broadly summarized in three areas: nurturing future core talent, restructuring vocational high schools, and expanding the global education environment.

First, the Provincial Office of Education has put forward the establishment of an Energy Gifted High School as a key initiative. Just as Stanford University supported Silicon Valley, the plan is to create an "AI Energy Talent Ladder" connecting high schools, universities, and industry.

The office will expand creative convergence education based on the "Classroom 2030" model, and foster specialized talent in AI, mathematics, science, and data by focusing on the Energy Gifted High School, science-focused schools, and AI convergence-centered high schools.

The vocational education track will also undergo a major overhaul. Vocational high schools will be restructured to align with AI-based industries such as electricity, refrigeration, precision manufacturing, mobility, semiconductors, and cloud technology, while accelerating the development of Meister high schools. The goal is to design seamless pathways from field training to employment, creating "AI Industry Talent Hubs" in collaboration with local industries, community colleges, and polytechnic universities.

The future strategy also includes creating an educational environment that can attract global companies. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program will be expanded to elementary, middle, and high schools, and a "Multicultural Integration Support Service Center" will be established to support foreign and transfer students, thereby improving living conditions in the region.

Questions were raised about budget and teacher preparedness, but Superintendent Kim responded, "We will actively secure national funding and collaborate with relevant organizations to establish the Energy Gifted High School," adding, "Transitioning existing departments is fully feasible within the Provincial Office of Education's basic budget."

Superintendent Kim emphasized, above all, the importance of teacher competency. He stated, "The greatest strength of Jeonnam education is its teachers," and assessed, "Last year's successful Glocal Expo was also an achievement of our teachers."

He continued, "We will expand the Classroom 2030 program from 133 schools this year to 110 schools next year, and strengthen teacher training based on experiences from the Coaching Center training."

The Provincial Office of Education also presented future education models that reflect the industrial characteristics of each region. The western region will focus on AI and renewable energy, the central region on artificial sun and mobility, and the eastern region on aerospace and AI cultural content, with the education system carefully designed around these themes.

Superintendent Kim stated, "Jeonnam is now being recognized as a Northeast Asian AI Energy Valley, comparable to Silicon Valley in the United States, thanks to the recent attraction of AI data centers, the National AI Computing Center, and artificial sun research facilities," adding, "Jeonnam education will take active steps to turn this opportunity into reality."

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