Establishing the Foundation for a Lifelong Learning City for People with Disabilities, Launching Lifelong Education Vouchers
Expansion of Cheongdo Lifelong Learning Center Programs and Online Foreign Language Education
On December 9, Cheongdo County announced that it had achieved significant results in the field of lifelong education this year, effectively realizing its vision of "a happy life-care community of hope and a lifelong learning city of happiness, Cheongdo."
Cheongdo County received high marks in the "Lifelong Learning City Re-designation Evaluation," organized by the Ministry of Education and the National Institute for Lifelong Education, thereby regaining its status as a "Lifelong Learning City" until 2027.
Cheongdo also became the first county-level municipality in North Gyeongsang Province to be designated as a "Lifelong Learning City for People with Disabilities," and notably, it won an Excellence Award in the province's lifelong education policy evaluation this year.
These achievements go beyond simply acquiring titles; they signify that Cheongdo County's stability and execution in building a foundation for lifelong education over the past several years have now been recognized externally as well.
Under the leadership of County Governor Kim Hasu in the eighth popularly elected administration, Cheongdo has focused on making "Cheongdo Lifelong Learning City of Happiness" the county's core policy vision, aiming to build a "learning community" where every resident can access educational opportunities.
This article highlights Cheongdo County's four key lifelong learning policy achievements for 2025, organized by theme.
◆ Lifelong Learning Without Blind Spots for People with Disabilities and Others
In 2025, Cheongdo County made it a top priority to establish an environment where no one is excluded from learning, becoming the first county-level municipality in North Gyeongsang Province to be designated as a "Lifelong Learning City for People with Disabilities."
With the goal of establishing a lifelong education support system friendly to people with disabilities, the county standardized programs segmented by type and degree of disability, operated university-linked curricula, and expanded psychological, physical, and digital literacy education. In addition, it developed various plans such as running cultural, hobby, and employment programs to promote emotional stability and social participation for people with disabilities.
In particular, communication education, digital literacy education, and cultural and arts therapy programs for people with hearing and physical disabilities recorded high satisfaction rates.
Participants responded that "it was convenient to experience learning, which had previously been difficult to access, close to home."
Additionally, the newly implemented lifelong education voucher program this year provides an annual lifelong learning voucher worth 350,000 won to educationally marginalized groups such as low-income individuals, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
This not only offers equal lifelong learning opportunities to everyone but also strengthens "learning autonomy," allowing recipients to choose the education they want.
As a result, Cheongdo County has dramatically reduced lifelong learning blind spots and lowered the barriers to lifelong education.
◆ Lifelong Learning Spaces Open to All Residents
The Cheongdo Lifelong Learning Center has established itself in 2025 as an open learning space easily accessible to all residents.
The center operated more than 30 educational programs, including various certificate courses such as hospital companion instructor, drone education instructor, and mind care instructor, as well as diverse and enjoyable hobby programs such as beginner and advanced park golf courses, "9988" fitness classes for seniors, and senior modeling courses.
Hands-on, practice-based classes and experiential educational content reflecting the latest trends received positive feedback, spreading a "resident participation-centered" learning culture.
In addition to certificate and skills courses, the center operated a GED preparation class as part of adult academic recognition education. Notably, students in their seventies and older who completed the GED process and obtained a high school diploma remarked, "I can feel my life changing through learning," highlighting remarkable changes.
The previously English-only video language service was expanded this year to include Japanese and Chinese, dramatically improving the region's limited language learning infrastructure.
In addition to video language classes, the lifelong learning center's website was revamped to provide a variety of practical online lifelong learning programs free of charge, creating an "anytime, anywhere, anyone can learn" environment.
◆ Resident-Led Lifelong Learning
The most notable change in Cheongdo County's lifelong learning in 2025 is the spread of the "learning self-reliance model," where residents directly plan and operate programs.
At the center of this is the Cheongdo County Village Lifelong Education Leaders' Association.
This year, the association directly surveyed educational needs at the township and village level and planned programs tailored to local characteristics, taking the initiative in leading the local learning ecosystem.
Especially popular were the "delivery lifelong learning lectures," which brought various classes directly to each village, to the extent that it was difficult to schedule all the requests from residents.
Since its launch in 2014, the Cheongdo County Lifelong Education Leaders' Association is now considered to be at its peak in 2025.
By planning and operating various lifelong education projects, the association successfully wrapped up 2025 by holding the "1st Cheongdo County Lifelong Learning Achievement Sharing Event," marking 11 years since its founding.
Members of the association have evolved from "learning operators" to "learning facilitators," spreading a culture where residents teach and learn from each other, resulting in the spontaneous formation of resident-participatory learning communities.
This demonstrates that the value of a "resident-led lifelong learning city," which Cheongdo County aspires to, has become a reality.
◆ Cheongdo's Distinctive Lifelong Learning
Cheongdo County aims to establish a differentiated lifelong learning brand by discovering local talent.
At the core of this are the Cheongdo Human Resources Development Department and the Cheongdo Happiness Academy.
The Cheongdo Human Resources Development Department, established in 2024 at Daegu Haany University's Future Life Convergence College, is the nation's first regionally specialized department.
This is an example of Cheongdo County collaborating with a local university to build a professional talent development system.
Only Cheongdo County residents aged 30 or older are eligible to enroll, with tuition supported by both Cheongdo County and Daegu Haany University.
Students in the Cheongdo Human Resources Development Department must complete a four-year curriculum to qualify as professional talent for regional development, and upon graduation, they can obtain various certificates such as lifelong educator, life coaching specialist, life design planner, and talent development specialist.
In addition to lectures, students can participate in overseas training, expos, and academic conferences, resulting in very high student satisfaction.
The Cheongdo Happiness Academy is a leadership program for implementing the Cheongdo Happiness Charter, aimed at building a happy community of hope.
Through voluntary learning and sharing, the Cheongdo Happiness Academy induces positive personal change and aims to build a happy community of hope. It is considered the program that best embodies the vision of "a happy life-care community of hope, a lifelong learning city of happiness, Cheongdo."
◆ From a City of Learning to a City of Life
The achievements of Cheongdo County's lifelong learning in 2025 go beyond simply expanding programs; they have made learning a part of the region's culture and have led to changes in residents' lives. This means that lifelong education has become an important pillar for shaping the region's future, rather than just a "learning program for adults."
◆ The Future of Cheongdo Shaped by "Happy Learning"
In 2025, Cheongdo County is evolving from a mere "lifelong learning city" into a "lifelong learning community where everyone learns and grows together."
Under the leadership of County Governor Kim Hasu, Cheongdo residents are now reimagining their dreams in life through the opportunities provided by learning.
Late-life learning for seniors, new challenges for people with disabilities, and empowerment of local residents-all these elements are coming together to create a "sustainable Cheongdo."
Cheongdo County is advancing as a city where people of all generations-including people with disabilities, the elderly, youth, and families-learn together, a city that incorporates its unique character by utilizing local resources, and a self-reliant learning city led directly by its residents.
The county announced that its future direction is clear.
More residents will be able to access more diverse learning opportunities more easily, and that learning will lead to changes in their lives.
This is an expression of the future of "Cheongdo, where learning changes lives."
Kim Hasu, Governor of Cheongdo County, stated, "Cheongdo is now establishing itself as a lifelong learning community where anyone can design a new life, leading to changes for every single resident. The learning culture where people with disabilities, the elderly, youth, and families come together, and the nurturing of talent connecting local universities and village communities, are the solid foundation for a sustainable Cheongdo. We will continue to strengthen the learning ecosystem, led by residents, to make Cheongdo a city where everyone wants to live and stay."
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