Gwangju Nam-gu 'Cultural Education Special Zone Project' Approved for 4-Year Extension

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (District Mayor Kim Byeong-nae) announced on the 18th that the Cultural Education Special Zone project, which was scheduled to end at the end of last year, has been extended for four years until 2023 following the approval of the project extension by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

The reason for the government's approval of the project extension appears to be that after Nam-gu was designated as a Cultural Education Special Zone, it received systematic policy support from the government and emerged as a premium education city. Additionally, it was consecutively selected as an excellent special zone in the regional special zone performance evaluations conducted by the government in 2013, 2014, and 2017.

In particular, the project received favorable evaluations for laying the foundation of public education through various initiatives such as out-of-school public education support projects, forest exploration program operations, Nam-gu 365 Reading School, expansion of public libraries, and revitalization of small libraries, as well as promoting regional economic revitalization through job creation.

With the project period extended until 2023, Nam-gu plans to implement three new projects, including the operation of the Yangnim-dong Craft Specialty Street, youth job education support, and operation of the Bitgoeul Rural Theme Park. It will also continue to promote specialized projects reflecting national policy trends, such as nurturing talent for the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Kim Byeong-nae, Mayor of Nam-gu, said, “The approval of the project extension has proven the excellence and necessity of our Nam-gu Cultural Education Special Zone project,” adding, “We will maintain the continuity of the Cultural Education Special Zone project and strive to develop it into a cultural education special zone that harmonizes culture, education, and regional economic development.”