Assemblyman Jinyeop Kim of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council's Construction and Firefighting Committee (People Power Party, Pohang 8th District) sponsored the "Ordinance Bill on Supporting Bilingual Education for Students from Multicultural Families in the Gyeongbuk Office of Education" at the 356th regular session of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council and passed the review by the Education Committee on June 11.
This ordinance bill was proposed to establish a systematic foundation for bilingual education, enabling students from multicultural families in the Gyeongbuk region to learn not only Korean but also their parents' native languages. The aim is to enhance students' language abilities and self-identity, and further contribute to social integration and the promotion of cultural diversity.
According to the Gyeongbuk Office of Education, the number of students from multicultural families in the province increased from 4,221 in 2014 to 12,814 in 2024, nearly tripling over the past ten years. Additionally, data from Statistics Korea shows that the population of multicultural children in Gyeongbuk grew by 30.9%, from 14,000 in 2015 to 18,000 in 2022, while the number of multicultural families increased by 28.8% during the same period.
However, based on the awareness that support systems in educational settings remain insufficient, Assemblyman Jinyeop Kim strongly emphasized the necessity of bilingual education and the need for a policy shift during a five-minute free speech at the 355th extraordinary session in April.
At the time, Assemblyman Kim stated, "Bilingual education goes beyond simple language acquisition; it helps form cultural bonds with parents and provides a foundation for children to grow into valuable assets in a global society." He specifically proposed expanding bilingual education programs, providing opportunities to learn parents' native languages, and strengthening training for faculty and staff.
The main contents of this ordinance bill include establishing a basic plan for bilingual education every year, implementing projects such as bilingual education programs and clubs, designating dedicated staff and conducting training, building cooperative systems with related organizations, and strengthening promotional activities.
Assemblyman Kim emphasized, "Gyeongbuk Province is already becoming a multicultural society, and practical support from the Office of Education and local governments is urgently needed so that these children can settle stably and grow into talented individuals who revitalize our community." He added, "Bilingual education is a future strategy that can address both population decline and the risk of local extinction, and it will serve as a foundation for greater cultural inclusiveness and educational welfare."
This ordinance bill is scheduled to be finally deliberated and promulgated at the plenary session on June 24.
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