Jeonnam Rural Agricultural and Fishing Village Homestay Program Draws High Interest at Korea Education Expo

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] The Jeonnam rural agricultural and fishing village study abroad program attracted great attention at the ‘2023 Korea Education Expo’ by presenting an alternative for population inflow in regions facing extinction risks.

The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education operated a promotional booth for Jeonnam rural agricultural and fishing village study abroad at the ‘2023 Korea Education Expo’ held for three days from the 12th to the 14th at the COEX Exhibition Hall in Samseong-dong, Seoul.

The Korea Education Expo, under the theme ‘Education is the Future,’ is an event supported by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education, with participation from over 250 institutions, organizations, and companies including educational institutions, Google, Microsoft, LEGO, and EBS.

Former Jeonnam Superintendent of Education Kim Dae-jung visited the rural promotion booth at the Korea Education Expo to encourage the staff. Photo by Jeonnam Office of Education

This expo, held for the first time since COVID-19, was a great success with more than 30,000 visitors including key figures in education such as Social Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho and Superintendent of Education Kim Dae-jung.

The Provincial Office of Education viewed the expo as an opportunity to raise awareness of the rural agricultural and fishing village study abroad project and operated a ‘Rural Agricultural and Fishing Village Study Abroad Promotion and Consultation Booth’ to carry out promotional activities.

Launched in 2021, the Jeonnam rural agricultural and fishing village study abroad program was introduced by domestic and international media as an educational alternative in the COVID-19 era, and Jeonnam Province and city and county local governments are actively cooperating.

Jeonnam Province allocated a total project budget of 28.5 billion KRW to 16 cities and counties to create study abroad villages in connection with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s public contest projects, and local governments are also engaging in remodeling vacant houses and supporting study abroad expenses.

Kim Yeo-seon, Director of Innovative Education, stated, “We plan to operate the rural agricultural and fishing village study abroad as a specialized project of the Jeonnam Office of Education linked with local governments,” adding, “To enhance the project’s substance and sustainability, we will strengthen cooperation not only with local governments but also with multiple government ministries.”