Superintendent Kim Daejung Announces "AI and Semiconductor Talent Development" with Four Key Strategies

Three-School System for Gifted & Science High Schools Established, 'Newton School' to Be Launched
New Semiconductor High School and Practical 'Mini FAB' Facilities Introduced
Two Central Control Towers, Including the Future Industry Talent Institute, to Be Established

The Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Office of Education is launching a comprehensive initiative to foster talent in the AI and semiconductor sectors in response to the region's rapidly growing large-scale investments in future advanced industries. Moving beyond simply attracting companies, the initiative aims to establish an "education local production for local consumption" ecosystem, where students, having received top-tier education in the region, are able to secure and settle into high-quality local jobs.

On the morning of July 21, Superintendent Kim Daejung held a press conference at the Gwangju Government Building briefing room and announced the four key strategies and the mid-to-long-term roadmap for the 'AI and Semiconductor Future Talent Development Project.'

Kim Daejung, Superintendent of Education, is announcing the four core strategies and mid- to long-term roadmap of the "AI and Semiconductor Future Talent Development Project" at a press conference held on the morning of the 21st in the briefing room of the Gwangju Government Building. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

Superintendent Kim emphasized the rationale behind the policy, stating, "With large-scale semiconductor production bases and AI data center investments led by companies like Samsung Electronics and SK hynix now becoming a reality, it is time for education to respond first. The virtuous cycle of sustainable, regionally balanced development will begin only when the jobs created by company attraction genuinely become opportunities for our children."

To make this vision a reality, the integrated office of education will fully implement four core strategies that connect 'learning, employment, and settlement.'

Three-School System for Gifted & Science High Schools and the 'Newton School'… Leap Forward to an 'Open Platform'

The education office defines mathematics and science education—the foundation of future industries—as the essential language of advanced industries, and will thoroughly restructure both hardware and software aspects. First, it will develop the 'Jeonnam-Gwangju-style curriculum,' integrating mathematics, science, and semiconductor education, and will establish the 'Newton School,' a shared school focused on exploratory learning in math and science, to expand growth opportunities for students.

The 'three-school system for gifted schools' will also be established to nurture elite research and engineering talent. The office will actively support the creation of: ▲ an AI Gifted School affiliated with the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), ▲ an Energy Gifted School affiliated with Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), alongside the existing Gwangju Science High School.

Importantly, these schools will not remain closed environments limited to a select elite, but will instead operate as 'open platforms for science education,' opening up professional staff and research facilities to the region’s students and hosting research camps and joint research projects.

Additionally, a 'three-school system for science high schools' will be established, linking each to key strategic industries across regions: ▲ Gwangju (AI and Mobility), ▲ Western Region (Energy and Semiconductors), and ▲ Eastern Region (Aerospace and New Materials), providing specialized education aligned with local strengths.

For general high school students, at least 20 'AI & Science Focused Schools' will be designated, ensuring fair educational opportunities so that anyone—not just those attending special-purpose high schools—can become active leaders in advanced industries.

Superintendent Kim announced plans to create an educational ecosystem of 'local production for local consumption' by establishing a three-school system for gifted and science high schools, opening a semiconductor high school, and introducing Mini FABs to help local talent settle in advanced industry jobs. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

Establishing a New Semiconductor High School and Building Practical 'Mini FABs'… Initiative for Special Education Zones

To overcome the limitations of theory-based education, practical measures will be implemented to cultivate field-ready technical talent. A new 'Semiconductor High School' will be established to operate advanced convergent curricula aligned with corporate needs, and existing specialized high school departments in the region will be thoroughly reorganized to meet new industry job demands.

The centerpiece is the establishment of a 'Semiconductor Joint Training Center' to ensure students acquire real-world practical skills. Equipped with educational Mini FAB (fabrication) facilities replicating actual semiconductor production lines, the center will help students build top-level practical capabilities, enabling them to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.

A global-standard 'settlement-type welfare system' will be established to support both company attraction and local talent settlement. Special education zones will be designated in areas where companies and industries are relocating, and international schools and exclusive foreign language communities will be proactively developed.

Further initiatives include: ▲ easing transfer and admission requirements and offering special admissions to gifted and special-purpose schools for children of relocated corporate employees, ▲ significantly expanding local talent admissions in partnership with regional universities such as GIST and KENTECH, ▲ establishing integrated community centers to provide one-stop administrative services, and ▲ operating a '365 Safe Care System' that supports dual-income and shift-working research families, all to encourage the full settlement of relocated families in the region.

Two Central Task Forces to Be Launched in the Second Half of 2026

To ensure the sustainability of these policies and to organically link local governments, universities, and industries, two central dedicated institutions will be newly established.

The 'Jeonnam-Gwangju Future Strategic Industry Talent Institute' will serve as an integrated platform connecting strategic industries with education and act as the external control tower for talent development. The 'Jeonnam-Gwangju Curriculum Development and Assessment Institute' will be responsible for taking full charge of the entire public education process, from curriculum design to teaching, assessment, and college entrance.

The integrated office of education will accelerate the enactment and revision of relevant special acts and ordinances to remove legal obstacles. During the second half of 2026, task forces for establishing these institutions will be formed, marking the start of the implementation phase.

Superintendent Kim Daejung emphasized, "So that our children no longer have to leave their hometowns in search of education and employment, but can boldly spread their wings toward the world from the very land where they were born, I earnestly ask for the active cooperation of universities, companies, and local governments. I will do my utmost to ensure that Jeonnam-Gwangju rises as both the hub of future advanced industries and the land of opportunity leading the local era of the Republic of Korea."

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