Yangpyeong County Paves New Path for Regional Growth as a "City Where Learning Is Part of Daily Life"
Three Consecutive Lifelong Learning City Designations and Ongoing Selection as a Lifelong Learning City for the Disabled
Building an Integrated Learning Structure Connecting Villages, Schools, and Libraries
Realizing Educational Welfare Through Resident-Participatory Programs
Since the launch of the 8th popularly elected administration, Yangpyeong County in Gyeonggi Province has been drawing attention for its concrete steps toward becoming a "city where learning is part of daily life."
Jin Jinseon, Yangpyeong County Governor, is declaring the 'Vision for a Lifelong Learning City for the Disabled.' Provided by Yangpyeong County
According to Yangpyeong County on August 11, the county's recent achievements?including the renewal of its lifelong learning city designation, selection as a lifelong learning city for the disabled, and securing the Gyeonggi-do Lifelong Learning Opportunity Special Zone project?are being recognized as a successful model for building a regional learning ecosystem that connects education, culture, and welfare. The robust learning infrastructure, which enables all residents to participate and grow, from villages to schools and libraries, is now serving as a benchmark not only for Yangpyeong but for communities nationwide.
Yangpyeong County has achieved the distinction of being selected for the "2025 Lifelong Learning City Redesignation Evaluation," hosted by the Ministry of Education and the National Institute for Lifelong Education, for the third consecutive time since its first designation in 2014. This evaluation comprehensively reviewed the operating systems, project management, and outcomes of 46 counties across the country.
The county received high marks for incorporating residents' opinions into its mid- to long-term development plans, linking annual operational plans to project implementation, and ensuring financial stability by attracting national and provincial funding as well as securing its own budget. In particular, resident-led programs that start at the village level and expand to the entire county?such as "Support for Lifelong Learning Clubs," "Visiting Delivery Lectures," and "Our Neighborhood Learning Trips"?were highlighted as best practices. Customized support for socially disadvantaged groups, including lifelong education for the disabled, adult literacy education, and tuition reduction programs, also received attention.
In addition, Yangpyeong County is taking on new challenges to break down barriers to learning accessibility. In 2024, the county was selected for the "Operation of Lifelong Learning Cities for the Disabled" project, hosted by the National Institute of Special Education, securing a total budget of 60 million won. Through this, the county is developing customized learning programs for people with disabilities and has launched a "Lifelong Education Instructor Training Course for the Disabled," producing over 50 Level 2 instructors, thereby strengthening social participation and self-reliance among the disabled.
This expansion also continues at the provincial level. In 2025, Yangpyeong County became the first county-level local government to be selected for the "Lifelong Learning Opportunity Special Zone Lifelong Education Project," newly launched by the Gyeonggi-do Institute for Lifelong Education. The goal of this project is to create an innovative lifelong education infrastructure by leveraging local characteristics and resources. Through this initiative, Yangpyeong County plans to expand infrastructure that combines education and tourism and to create a new growth engine that fosters a virtuous cycle between the regional economy and learning.
Lifelong learning in Yangpyeong is also organically linked with school education. The county's education support team has invested a total of 3.9 billion won in 13 projects, including free school meals and uniforms, after-school programs for rural areas, survival swimming, and transportation support, to improve the learning environment for students. The county has also provided opportunities for young people to experience county administration and broaden their understanding of the local community through a summer vacation college student internship program.
Furthermore, the Education Cooperation Center is serving as a bridge between schools and villages, focusing on the "Future Education Cooperation District." The "Small School Enhancement Project" supports specialized education that leverages the strengths of small schools, while programs like "EduBus" and "Green Yangpyeong e-Click" allow students to explore and experience local resources. "Two Wheels in Yangpyeong" has become an innovative program that provides all fourth-grade elementary students with bicycle education and ecological experiences.
These efforts, involving schools, parents, villages, and the local government, have fostered a shared understanding that "education shapes the future of the community." As a result, Yangpyeong's education cooperation model has emerged as a benchmark for other local governments.
The "Gyeonggi Silver Reading Sharing" project, which promotes intergenerational communication, is also attracting attention. In this program, retired seniors conduct storytelling and reading guidance at 20 institutions, including daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary after-school care classes. Beginning in 2026, this will be expanded into the "Yangpyeong-style Silver Reading Sharing" initiative, which will be developed into senior employment opportunities in connection with the Silver Workforce Bank.
In addition, smart libraries installed at Yangpyeong Station and Yongmun Station provide 24-hour unmanned book lending services, bringing books closer to residents. Mobile libraries and the Book Start project deliver book packages directly to households with infants, children, and pregnant women, realizing a "visiting reading" service. As of the first half of 2025, more than 10,000 people have used these library services, and the use of online e-books and audiobooks continues to grow steadily.
Jeon Jinseon, Yangpyeong County Governor, is delivering a greeting at the '9th Lifelong Learning Festival' held last year. Provided by Yangpyeong County
Building on the achievements of this redesignation, the county plans to strengthen performance analysis and feedback systems, expand professional personnel, develop customized programs for residents, and establish an integrated lifelong learning platform for the province and cities/counties. The goal for the next third-cycle lifelong learning city evaluation is to achieve an "Excellent" rating.
Yangpyeong County Governor Jeon Jinseon stated, "Lifelong learning is not just about individual growth; it is a force that drives sustainable regional development. We will continue to further advance Yangpyeong's unique lifelong learning model, which is attracting national attention, so that all residents can enjoy learning opportunities anytime, anywhere."
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