Simultaneously Strengthening Public Education Innovation and Regional Competitiveness
Jinju City in South Gyeongsang Province is accelerating its Education Development Special Zone project, now in its third year as a pilot area in 2026, with a focus on aerospace, the region's specialized industry.
Unlike conventional school-level projects led mainly by regional offices of education, the Education Development Special Zone aims to enhance public education innovation and competitiveness in the region through collaboration among local governments, universities, companies, and public institutions. Its goal is to build a virtuous cycle in which talent development within the region leads to local employment, start-ups, and settlement.
To be selected as a pilot area, Jinju City formed the Working Council for Regional Cooperation in the Aerospace Sector, joined by Sacheon City, Goseong County, Gyeongsang National University, leading local companies, and relocated public institutions, and made multifaceted efforts such as hosting an idea contest for Jinju citizens. As a result, in March 2024, it was finally designated as a Leading Region for the Education Development Special Zone in the Aerospace Sector.
Since its designation, Jinju City has focused on promoting hands-on and practical aerospace education programs linked with local universities and companies, with the goal of building a full-cycle educational ecosystem that connects elementary, middle, and high schools to universities, employment, and settlement. This policy is clearly differentiated from projects run by regional offices of education in that it goes beyond simple learning support to create an urban foundation where children can grow up, study, work, and put down roots.
◆ Operation of the High School-University Linked Bridge System
The Bridge System is a project designed to strengthen the bridge between high schools and universities, with Gyeongsang National University and Yeungnam University of Science and Technology each participating.
In 2024, Jinju City utilized the faculty pool of the newly established College of Space and Aeronautics (CSA) at Gyeongsang National University to offer special lectures to interested high schools in the city, with about 550 students from 7 high schools taking part. In addition, around 390 students from 3 high schools participated in artificial intelligence (AI) and aerospace experience events operated by the AI/DX Center at Yeungnam University of Science and Technology.
Participating students responded that it was a meaningful experience, as they were able to directly access information not only on the region’s specialized industries but also on local universities and related academic departments.
◆ Visits to Outstanding Companies in the Province
The Outstanding Company Visits in the Province project, designed to foster pride in the region, is being carried out with Gyeongnam Science High School and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).
In 2024 and 2025, second- and third-year students of Gyeongnam Science High School visited KAI, a key defense contractor that produces domestically manufactured aircraft, and toured its aircraft design and production facilities. In particular, they held a Q&A session with an alumnus of Gyeongnam Science High School who is currently working at KAI, asking about his motivation for applying and specific working conditions, which was very well received by students grappling with their career paths. In 2026, the program will be expanded to include 200 first- and second-year students.
◆ Operation of the Aerospace Company Partnership Program
The Aerospace Company Partnership Program, designed to improve students’ understanding of practical work and their adaptability to real-world settings, has involved about 780 students from three specialized vocational high schools over the past two years.
Students visited aerospace companies such as ANH Structure, Daehwa Aviation, Hi-Z Aerospace, and Cancoa Aerospace, where they toured production facilities and listened to executives and staff explain company overviews, recruitment information, and production processes. Jinju City plans to expand the number of participating companies when operating the program in 2026.
Jinju-si: The Entire Region Becomes a Learning Site Beyond Schools - Aerospace Company-Linked Program
◆ Production of High School Credit System Content
With the full implementation of the High School Credit System in 2025, Jinju City, together with Gyeongsang National University, is continuing to promote the High School Credit System Content Production project themed around the aerospace sector.
Last year, the city surveyed demand for curriculum content among students in the Gyeongnam region and produced video content for three subjects linked to aerospace-related courses, each consisting of 17 class sessions. This content will be provided through the common liberal arts platform of the USG Shared University, thereby strengthening linkages between high schools and universities in line with the changing educational environment.
◆ Career Support Talk Concert
To enhance local attachment and pride, Jinju City held a Career Support Talk Concert in November 2025.
Local young professionals, including a team leader from Korea Aerospace Industries, a staff member from Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), and the head of a local restaurant and food-service start-up brand, shared their processes and experiences in choosing their career paths, receiving an enthusiastic response from participating youths. Jinju City plans to continue this project for local adolescents this year as well.
◆ Production of a Local Study Promotion Video
To provide education information that reflects regional characteristics and to realize the slogan “Studying in Gyeongnam, a Place You Want to Go With Your Child,” Jinju City produced a Local Study Promotion Video.
The video, themed “Jinju, a City Where the Future Stays,” introduces various education and youth support policies, including the Jinju City Integrated Food Support Center, scholarship programs for future generations, and youth policies. It will be posted on Gyeongnam Province’s integrated local study promotion channel to widely promote Jinju’s educational competitiveness and living conditions.
An official from Jinju City said, “The Education Development Special Zone is not just an education project but a core strategy for strengthening Jinju’s future competitiveness,” adding, “By working closely with the regional office of education and engaging the entire local community in education innovation, we will build Jinju into a city that is ideal for raising children and a city where young people choose to stay.”
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