72 Abandoned Closed Schools in Jeonnam Region... Urgent Need for Utilization Measures

Lee Jaetae Urges Improvement of Policy Report
Calls for Practical Solutions for the Utilization of Closed Schools in Jeonnam
Emphasizes the Need for Long-Term Lease System Reforms and Proactive Policy Responses

As the issue of utilizing closed schools in the Jeonnam region remains unresolved, there is a growing call for more effective and practical measures.

Lee Jaetae, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Naju 3), strongly urged the establishment of practical solutions regarding the utilization of closed schools in the region during the Education Committee's report on the Education Support Office's operations.

According to the Jeonnam Office of Education on the 17th, out of 844 closed schools in the province, 669 have been sold, while 72 out of the remaining 114 are currently left unused. Most closed school lease contracts are short-term, lasting two to three years, and under current law, lease contracts through bidding can be made for a maximum of five years, with renewals also limited to within five years.

Jae Tae Lee, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member (Former)

Lee Jaetae stated, "Compared to a year ago, the number of unused closed schools has only decreased from 76 to 72, a reduction of just four. Although a task force was formed to address the issue, there have been few tangible results. There are many unused closed schools in island areas such as Yeosu and Goheung, so a concrete plan for their utilization is urgently needed."

He also actively raised the need to improve the system related to leasing (renting) closed schools. He argued, "Long-term leases must be allowed so that operators utilizing closed schools can make stable investments," and insisted, "The enforcement ordinance of the 'Special Act on Promotion of Utilization of Closed School Properties' should be amended to set the lease period within 10 years and allow renewals to exceed 10 years."

In particular, he emphasized that since the Ministry of the Interior and Safety decided in January to make the transfer price standard for closed schools more realistic by basing it on officially assessed land values, proactive policy responses are necessary.

For venture companies, under the current 'Public Property and Goods Management Act,' if certain conditions are met to revitalize the local economy, leases can be granted for up to 20 years. Regarding this, Lee suggested, "Similar standards should be applied to operators utilizing closed schools to allow long-term leases," and proposed, "If the intended business purpose is met through annual inspections, long-term leases should be permitted."

To resolve the issue of abandoned closed schools, Lee proposed utilizing special provisions of the 'Jeollanam-do Special Self-Governing Province Special Act.' He stated, "Currently, administrative agencies are reluctant to sign lease contracts even when closed schools are left abandoned," and argued, "If the lease period for closed schools is extended to 10 years or more and the conditions for private contracts are relaxed, operators will be able to manage facilities more stably."

He further urged, "The longer closed schools are left abandoned, the more their value declines," and called on the Jeonnam Office of Education to take a more proactive approach in formulating policies for the utilization of closed schools and to work to increase the use of unused closed schools, including those in island areas."

In response, an official from the Office of Education stated, "We are continuously reviewing policy directions for the utilization of closed schools in the province and plan to develop specific measures in cooperation with the local community."