The Living History of Overseas Korean Schools... Geumgang School Announces Vision for the Next 100 Years

The World's First Overseas Korean School Declares a "Second Foundation"
Yoon Choi, Chairman of OK Financial Group: "Geumgang School Is the Central Pillar of Ethnic Education Nurturing Global Talent"

The world's first overseas Korean school, Osaka Geumgang International School (OKIS, Geumgang School), is celebrating its 80th anniversary. Geumgang School has announced its 100-year vision for the future and plans to accelerate its transformation into a "Korean International School" to nurture global talent.

According to OK Financial Group on June 11, Geumgang School, which marks its 80th anniversary this year, is pursuing a vision for the next 100 years based on its achievements in educational innovation. Geumgang School was established in 1946 by the first generation of Koreans residing in Japan as an ethnic education institution. Even in the harsh conditions immediately following Korea’s liberation, the Korean community in Japan united to establish the school to preserve their Korean identity. In 1961, it was officially recognized as an overseas Korean school by the Korean Ministry of Education, and in 1985, it was accredited as an official school under Japanese school education law.

Despite being an overseas Korean school that offers a full 12-year elementary, middle, and high school curriculum, Geumgang School once faced discussions of merger and closure due to the absence of a differentiated curriculum, difficulties in securing excellent teachers, and financial challenges. As a result, the number of students fell to around 190 at one point, putting the very existence of the school at risk.

Choi Yoon, Chairman of OK Financial Group, took on the role of problem-solver by becoming chairman of Geumgang School’s board in 2019 to prevent the merger or closure of "Korea’s first overseas Korean school." He hoped that Geumgang School would serve as a focal point for ethnic education, enabling young Koreans in Japan to clearly recognize their Korean roots. Having been born in Nagoya, Japan, as a third-generation Korean with Korean nationality, Chairman Choi’s own experiences—being considered an outsider in both Japan and Korea—have given him a deep sense of empathy and mission.

Accordingly, he changed the school's name from "Osaka Geumgang School" to "Osaka Geumgang International School" to transform it into a "hub for nurturing global Korean talent." A new school song was also created by renowned K-pop hitmaker composer Jo Youngsoo. Major improvements were made to educational infrastructure, including the installation of artificial turf on the sports field, air-conditioning and heating in the gymnasium, new uniforms, an updated emblem, school flag, external building signage, and school bus wrapping.

In addition, the school expanded its native-speaking teaching staff to operate foreign language programs befitting an international school. A non-graded program tailored to each student’s language proficiency was introduced, and bilingual education in both Korean and English is conducted even in regular classes.

Geumgang School is recognized for playing a pivotal role in nurturing global Korean talent through the introduction of an innovative scholarship system for outstanding students, intensive language education in Korean, English, and Japanese, securing excellent teachers and improving the curriculum, implementing differentiated after-school programs, and expanding various clubs.

Yoon Choi, Chairman of OK Financial Group, is visiting Geumgang School and observing the class. OK Financial Group

In October, Geumgang School plans to hold an 80th anniversary event, inviting current students, alumni, members of the Korean community in Japan, and local stakeholders. The school will also produce a commemorative video chronicling its 80-year history and compile a special anniversary publication. In addition, commemorative goods for the 80th anniversary will be created, and the alumni association will be strengthened to promote unity among Geumgang graduates.

In particular, to further clarify its identity as Korea’s first overseas Korean school, the school is actively considering adding "Korean" to its official name. This is viewed not merely as a commemorative project, but as a turning point to prepare Geumgang School for the next 100 years.

Principal Yoon Yoosook stated, "Geumgang School has taught, through lived experience, what it means to live as a Korean in Japanese society," adding, "The remarkable changes since Chairman Choi Yoon’s appointment as chairman of the board have given hope to the Korean community in Japan."

Chairman Choi remarked, "Geumgang School is the central pillar of ethnic education, nurturing global talent who possess both a Korean identity and the qualities of a global citizen. This school, which the first generation of Koreans in Japan established with the sole belief of passing on their roots to future generations despite harsh circumstances, is now taking its 80-year history as a foundation to foster future-oriented talent who can confidently communicate with the world in Korean, English, and Japanese." He continued, "The fact that the number of students has rebounded from the 190s to over 300 is the most compelling evidence that the reforms, pursued with determination despite numerous concerns and opposition, were the right choice. Going forward, we will continue our unwavering support and reforms so that our students can use what they have learned at Geumgang School as nourishment to become recognized leaders not only in Korea and Japan, but on the global stage."

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