Incheon City Council Education Committee "Withdraw Conditional Approval for Luwon City Officetel Building Permit"

The Education Committee of the Incheon City Council has strongly opposed the conditional approval of the construction permit for officetels in Commercial Block 3 of Luwon City by the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education, urging its immediate withdrawal and a comprehensive review of the student accommodation plan.

According to the Education Committee on the 9th, on the 7th, the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education reportedly sent an official letter to the district office stating that if overcrowded classes occur at Incheon Bongsu Elementary School due to the construction permit for officetels in Commercial Block 3 of Luwon City, students from the area would be assigned to Incheon Gaseok Elementary School.

However, this opinion from the Metropolitan Office of Education has been criticized as disregarding the demands of local residents and the practical needs of the educational environment.

Local residents have continuously demanded a thorough review of the student influx demand, including the development of residential blocks 1 to 4, central commercial blocks 1 and 3, commercial block 3, and five northern complexes within Luwon City, but the Metropolitan Office of Education has not reflected this, citing the lack of concrete development plans.

Incheon City Council Building Exterior [Photo by Incheon City Council]

Chairman Lee Yong-chang of the Education Committee stated, "The opinion letter sent by the Metropolitan Office of Education to Seo-gu Office included a statement that 'we will reconsider once the development plan is concretized,' but this is an administrative approach akin to 'locking the barn after the horse is lost,' and the damage will inevitably fall on the students and residents." He added, "Since the same problem will occur not only in elementary schools but also in middle and high schools in the future, schools are absolutely necessary in Luwon City."

He continued, "The Metropolitan Office of Education must listen to the voices of the local community and fulfill its responsibility to ensure a safe and comfortable educational environment for students."