"Urgent Need for Establishment of Medical-Specialized High School and International School in Jeonnam"...Students Leaving for Other Regions

Hansook Kyung of Jeonnam Provincial Council Calls for Urgent Establishment of Medical-Specialized High School and International School
Unused Foreign School Site in Shindae District, Suncheon Remains Idle for 20 Years

Hansook Kyung, Jeonnam Provincial Council member. Provided by Hansook Kyung's office.

There has been a call for the urgent establishment of a medical-specialized high school and an international school in Jeonnam to secure the future of education and regional growth engines.

Hansook Kyung, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council (Democratic Party, Suncheon 7), made this statement during a five-minute speech at the first session of the 390th extraordinary meeting held on April 30. She pointed out, "Currently, there is not a single international school in Jeonnam, so students and parents are leaving for other regions in search of better educational environments." She further stated, "As a result, the region is experiencing a decline in educational competitiveness, an outflow of young people, and stagnation in regional development."

She especially emphasized that there are no high schools in the Shindae District of Suncheon and that international educational infrastructure is also lacking. She noted that the site designated for a foreign school, established nearly 20 years ago with the designation of the Free Economic Zone in 2004, has remained unused. Despite nine attempts to attract foreign educational institutions and various feasibility studies, there has been no progress.

She also explained that although Suncheon City and the Free Economic Zone Authority are currently seeking ways to utilize the site, use of the land has been delayed due to the Ministry of Industry's stance that changing the purpose of the site for non-educational uses is not permitted.

Hansook Kyung emphasized, "Shindae District, with a large student population and high enthusiasm for education, has an average age of 34, making it a hub for young people. The school-age population is among the highest in the country, making it the optimal location for establishing a school."

She also stressed the need to attract a 'medical-specialized high school' for students aspiring to enter medical school. She stated that establishing such a school would provide students with opportunities for specialized education and create a virtuous cycle for systematically nurturing future medical professionals.

Hansook Kyung raised her voice, saying, "I hope the foreign school site in Shindae District will be put to practical use and become the first step for Jeonnam to move toward a prepared future."