Six Schools Closed in Seoul... Remaining Challenge Is 'Space Utilization'

The government is grappling with the issue of utilizing the increasing number of closed school buildings. Although the number of schools shutting down is rising due to low birth rates and a sharp decline in the school-age population, many of these facilities remain unused as no effective utilization plans have been found.

According to the Ministry of Education on the 17th, there were 3,955 closed schools nationwide last year, of which 2,609 were sold, and 979 were leased to local governments or public-private organizations to be used as public sports facilities, social welfare centers, cultural facilities, and more. The remaining 367 schools (9.3%) are classified as 'unused closed schools' because no purpose has been found for them.

The proportion of closed schools in Seoul is 0.18%, the lowest among the 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education, but there are still six abandoned closed schools. Yeomgang Elementary School and Gongjin Middle School in Gangseo-gu were closed in 2020 but have not found proper use for several years. Hwayang Elementary School in Gwangjin-gu, which closed in 2023, is used as the Education Support Office's archive and the Labor-Management Cooperation Officer's union office. Last year, Dobong High School, Deoksu High School (branch), and Seongsu Technical High School were added to the list of closed schools.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education is exploring ways to efficiently utilize closed schools in urban areas through projects such as the 'Closed School Reverse Project.' In collaboration with the Department of Architecture at Hongik University, they aim to create a sustainable learning ecosystem by repurposing urban closed school spaces.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council partially amended an ordinance last September to allow closed school sites to be converted into senior welfare housing. The Ministry of Education announced plans this year for the '2025 School Complex Facility Selection Contest,' proposing that if swimming pools for students and local residents are installed in closed schools, the government will support up to 50% of the project costs. Jeong Geun-sik, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, stated, "We will transform closed school spaces into places where all generations can learn and grow together."