Geochang County Draws Attention at the "2nd Gyeongsangnam-do Lifelong Learning Expo"... Instructor Lee Jongju Honored with Lifelong Learning Award

Geochang County in Gyeongsangnam-do attracted significant attention from visitors by participating in the "2nd Gyeongsangnam-do Lifelong Learning Expo," which was held over two days on October 17 and 18 at the Changwon Convention Center (CECO), with a variety of hands-on programs and achievement exhibitions.

This expo was hosted by Gyeongsangnam-do and organized by the Gyeongnam Institute for Lifelong Education and Talent Development. Under the theme "Coexistence and Mutual Growth, Hopeful Gyeongnam Growing Through Lifelong Learning!", 37 institutions from across the province participated, sharing unique lifelong learning cases from their respective regions.

Participants from Geochang County attending the "2nd Gyeongsangnam-do Lifelong Learning Expo" held at Changwon Convention Center (CECO) are taking a commemorative photo together. Source: Geochang County.

At the event, Geochang County operated interactive programs such as "Making a Large Happiness Broom" and the "Geochang Woodworking Camp: Wood Fork Class," which were met with enthusiastic responses.

Citizens who visited the expo praised the experience, saying, "Lifelong learning in Geochang combines learning with enjoyment," as they participated in woodworking and craft activities firsthand.

During the "Literacy Month" commemorative event held on the 17th, five literacy learners from Geochang County, including Kim Soonhee from Galgye Village in Buksang-myeon, received awards at the poetry and painting exhibition. The Geochang Youth Silver Theater Troupe also received the "Excellence Award" in the lifelong learning club competition, earning applause from the audience.

At the 5th Gyeongsangnam-do Lifelong Learning Awards Ceremony, instructor Lee Jongju from Geochang-eup is receiving the prestigious Lifelong Learning Award. Photo by Geochang County.

In particular, the highlight of the expo was the "5th Gyeongsangnam-do Lifelong Learning Awards Ceremony," where instructor Lee Jongju from Geochang-eup was honored with the prestigious Lifelong Learning Award.

Instructor Lee served as an elementary school teacher for over 30 years, practicing the philosophy of "not leaving a single child behind." Even after retirement, he completed 19 lifelong learning courses totaling 1,379 hours and obtained 32 certifications. As an adult literacy instructor, he has produced 185 graduates and 107 successful Hancha (Chinese character) certificate holders. Through the "Onieum Project," he has also led digital literacy education for seniors, bringing significant change to the local community.

During the expo, the county also operated a benchmarking program for lifelong learning officials, allowing about 20 participants to visit exemplary cases in other cities and counties and discuss the future direction of lifelong learning in Geochang County.

Kim Hyunmi, Deputy Governor of Geochang County, stated, "This expo was an opportunity to showcase the diverse achievements of lifelong learning in Geochang County to the residents of the province and reaffirm our status as a lifelong learning city where all residents learn and grow together. We will continue to do our best to spread a learning culture led by the community."

Going forward, Geochang County will continue to establish itself as a "lifelong learning city that grows through learning and connects through sharing," creating a new model where education revitalizes the local community.