[Feature] From "Backwater" to Educational Hub: How Hanam City Achieved a "Miracle" in the 2026 University Admissions

Mayor Lee Hyunjae's "Education Ladder" Philosophy: From Admissions Periphery to Educational Hub
A Historic Quantum Leap from 128 to 387: Tripling in Just Four Years
An Educational Miracle Driven by Public-Private-Academic Partnership: Spotlight on the "Hanam Miracle"
Commuter Buses and Hanhol Middle School Opening: "Hanam-Style Educational Welfare" Supports Every Child

Once considered an "educational backwater" compared to the rich educational infrastructure of nearby Gangnam and Gangdong in Seoul, Hanam City in Gyeonggi Province has achieved its best-ever results in the 2026 university admissions cycle, establishing itself at the center of South Korea's educational landscape.

According to Hanam City on February 28, the number of students admitted to major universities in Seoul and medical/pharmacy schools reached 387. Adding 38 successful applicants to specialized universities such as KAIST, the total number of students admitted to major universities stands at 425. This figure is more than triple the 128 recorded just four years ago. What has transformed Hanam's classrooms?

Acceptance Status of Major Universities in Hanam City. Provided by Hanam City

The New Future Shaped by the Push for a Hanam Office of Education and Public-Private-Academic Governance

Behind these university admissions achievements are the efforts of Oh Sung-ae, Superintendent of the Gwangju Hanam Office of Education, teachers dedicated on the front lines, parents passionate about their children's education, and students who gave their best until the end. Hanam City and the Gwangju Hanam Office of Education are making every institutional effort to support this, focusing on establishing an independent Hanam Office of Education-a move widely regarded as the final piece for further advancement in Hanam's education.

The city proactively set up a joint workspace on the sixth floor of the Integrated Welfare Town and launched the "Hanam Office of Education Establishment Task Force," completing administrative preparations. Lim Tae-hee, Superintendent of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, also officially promised to designate the establishment of the Hanam Office of Education as the "top priority" task, considering the explosive growth of Hanam's education sector and the urgent demands of its citizens.

This hub, where Hanam City and the Office of Education collaborate as "One Team," is expected to become the central point for immediate responses to local educational issues such as overcrowded classes and the establishment of new schools. Once the independent Office of Education officially opens, it will lay the foundation for implementing sophisticated future education strategies tailored to the region, further accelerating Hanam's upward trend in educational competitiveness.

The significance of Hanam's recent university admissions performance is heightened by the fact that it resulted not from the dominance of a single high school, but from evenly improved academic performance across all the city's high schools. These results are particularly valuable given the rapidly changing admissions environment, such as the adjustment of medical school quotas and the so-called "killer" exams known for their difficulty. Moreover, students with diverse talents achieved top academic results in their respective fields, demonstrating the qualitative growth of Hanam's education sector.

Lee Hyunjae, Mayor of Hanam City, visited Hanhol Middle School, which is set to open on the 20th, conducted a joint safety inspection, and took a commemorative photo with the officials. Provided by Hanam City

Ladders to Dreams: In-Depth Campus Tours of Prestigious Universities and Global Company Experiences

The educational welfare policies pursued by Hanam City focus on giving students strong motivation to set their own goals and take on challenges. The "University Campus Tour: Finding My Path" program, jointly organized by Hanam City and the Hanam Education Foundation, is a representative educational welfare initiative designed to help students develop a clear sense of purpose and plan their own lives. With a budget of KRW 120 million allocated in 2025, this program provides equal opportunities for all Hanam students-regardless of financial circumstances or access to information-to directly experience top universities in Korea, such as Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University.

Since its pilot launch in 2022, the program has drawn an enthusiastic response, with a cumulative total of 10,420 participants. Students walk the campuses with university ambassadors and try campus meals, transforming their vague dreams of higher education into concrete visions for the future.

In addition, corporate experience programs that allow visits to the headquarters of global companies such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, and EBS give children the chance to understand real-world professions and discover their potential. From 2024, the program has expanded to include elementary school students, supporting a broader worldview from an early age. A total of 1,536 students have gained confidence as future talents through this program. Such hands-on, field-based talent development initiatives have instilled students with the belief that "I can do it too."

Lee Hyun-jae, Mayor of Hanam (left), is taking a commemorative photo holding the agreement certificate with Oh Sung-ae, Superintendent of Gwangju Hanam Office of Education, at the school commuting circular bus business agreement ceremony between Hanam City and Gwangju Hanam Office of Education held on the 23rd. Provided by Hanam City

Comprehensive Support for Personalized University Admission Planning and Bridging the Educational Gap

To address the complexities of the current admissions environment, Hanam City is strengthening its individualized support system.

The "University Admission Consulting" service, operated through the Hanam Education Foundation, offers one-on-one consulting for high school and university admission strategies by major and department, and provides analysis and guidance based on student records every second and fourth Saturday of the month. Especially during summer vacation, the newly introduced "All-in-One Program" combines consulting with interview preparation to enhance the practical skills of third-year high school students. In 2026, even more sophisticated consulting services are planned.

Efforts to reduce the educational gap are also being actively pursued. The university student volunteer group "Hanam Dreamers" runs a mentoring program that pairs vulnerable teens with university mentors on a one-to-one basis, preventing learning loss and providing guidance for further education. In addition, current and former professionals deliver special lectures and career experiences directly at schools, with more than 10,000 students participating as of 2025. Building on these achievements, the city will continue supporting efforts to overcome regional educational limitations in 2026.

Lee Hyun-jae, mayor of Hanam (right), and Lim Tae-hee, superintendent of Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, attended the Hanam Education Talk Concert "Hi Hanam! Designing a Future Education City" on November 26, 2025, engaging in a discussion with participants. Provided by Hanam City

Comprehensive Infrastructure for Developing Future Industry Talent and Ensuring Student Safety

Hanam City is also focusing on creating a youth entrepreneurship ecosystem in response to the rapidly changing future environment.

In collaboration with organizations such as the Chung-Ang University Startup Support Group, the city is developing startup clubs and supporting youth participation in startup competitions, while reinforcing one-on-one mentoring systems to build a foundation for nurturing Hanam-style future talent. Investment for student safety and convenience is also unprecedented. The "student commuting circulator bus," introduced to solve the issue of long-distance commutes, connects major hubs with an investment of KRW 650 million. The city even carried out road improvement works to prevent traffic congestion at bus stops, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail. Furthermore, support for dinner expenses for third-year high school students and entrance grants for new elementary students have created an environment where students can focus solely on their studies.

In particular, Hanhol Middle School, set to open this March, stands as a prime example of Hanam's educational commitment and the cooperation of the local community. To resolve the issue of overcrowded classes in middle schools in Misagangbyeon City, Hanam City made the unprecedented decision to lease park land free of charge for use as a school site-a move made possible by the active support and cooperation of residents who strongly desired the new school.

To enable Hanhol Middle School's opening, the city invested a total of KRW 3.3 billion to complete renovation of the Misaforest Park walking trails and construct an access road, and has installed and checked six CCTV cameras and twelve security lights to establish a robust security system that ensures students can commute to and from school safely and without blind spots.

Lee Hyunjae, Mayor of Hanam (second from the left), is serving food directly to third-year high school students at Hanam High School, the site of the first implementation of the high school dinner support project on July 21, 2025. Photo by Hanam City

The qualitative growth of education is Hanam City's most powerful branding asset.

Mayor Lee Hyunjae stated, "Education is the key factor that determines a city's competitiveness. We will realize 'Hanam, the city of education,' where the entire city becomes a place of learning beyond the boundaries of schools, and focus all administrative resources so that students can grow into global talents active on the world stage."

Hanam City plans to ensure the smooth opening of the Hanam Office of Education within the year and the new (tentatively named) Misa 4 High School next year, establishing a complete educational lineup, and aims to become the nation's leading city for educational autonomy through long-term, forward-looking investment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.