Wando Lifelong Education Center in Limbo... Park Jiwon's Mediation and Kim Shin's Resolve Open the Way

Parents: "Unacceptable to use the site as an excuse when they're offering to cover the full cost"
Park Jiwon mediates; County Governor Kim Shin pledges to discuss contributing up to 1 billion won
Rep. Park also meets Superintendent Kim Daejung to request support

The 29-billion-won Lifelong Education Center project planned for Wando County in Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City has been set in motion again through mediation by Rep. Park Jiwon, the area's National Assembly member, amid diverging approaches by former and current administrations.

The Lifelong Education Center was originally planned as a public library. It was a long-standing project that Superintendent of Education Kim Daejung had promised to build during the tenure of former Wando County Governor Shin Woo-cheol, on the condition that Wando County provide 1 billion won in matching funds. While other cities and counties expanded their infrastructure through matching investments, however, the former governor's side abruptly changed the plans, drawing strong criticism from local residents.

Rep. Park Ji-won personally visited Kim Dae-jung, superintendent of education for Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City, and asked the education office to give favorable consideration to the proposed Wando Lifelong Education Center. Provided by Rep. Park Ji-won’s office.

The project was revived last July when Kim Shin took office as the new county governor. Superintendent Kim Daejung once again made an extraordinary offer: "The county does not need to provide matching funds; if it provides a site for the facility, the education office will cover all the costs—29 billion won."

However, the project was stalled again when officials, including staff from the Population and Jobs Policy Division, the department in charge, delayed it, citing difficulties securing a site. In particular, after the new division chief took office last August, discussions with the education office went nowhere, and the lack of meaningful communication fueled growing local opposition.

A parent living in Wando-eup said in frustration, "They are offering to cover the entire cost of building an educational facility worth hundreds of billions of won, but I cannot understand an administration trying to back out by making excuses about the site. The children's future is being pushed aside while the agencies fight over pride." Another resident added, "We were deeply upset when the project fell through under the previous county governor. If the county lets this opportunity that came its way slip away again, residents will not stand by and watch."

Wando County Council member Kim Seyun also questioned the county administration, saying, "The benefits to residents are about to disappear because of a power struggle between agencies." He sharply criticized the executive branch for its passive and complacent handling of the matter. In a phone interview with our reporter, Kim also said, "The county council will do everything it can to ensure that bringing the Lifelong Education Center to the area, a long-standing wish of local residents, is realized," expressing a strong determination to resolve the issue.

With the project in jeopardy because of the lukewarm response dating back to the previous county governor and the current staff's failure to communicate, Rep. Park Jiwon, who represents the area, stepped in personally to mediate.

According to Rep. Park on October 17, after learning of the relevant department's passive stance on bringing the Wando Lifelong Education Center to the area, he urgently held talks with the county. Rep. Park said, "I received a commitment from Wando County Governor Kim Shin that the county would consult with the education office and consider contributing up to 1 billion won in county funds."

This is seen as Rep. Park confirming the current county governor's willingness to support the establishment of the Lifelong Education Center and opening the way for talks. Rep. Park then went directly to Superintendent Kim Daejung of Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City, who has the final say. He waited for an hour and a half to meet Superintendent Kim, who was attending an ESG event at Sani Garden in Haenam.

At the meeting, Rep. Park asked the education office to give favorable consideration to the Wando Lifelong Education Center project. Local residents are watching closely to see whether the project, which had stalled amid indifference and a lack of communication within the local government, can get back on track through strong oversight by the county council and swift intervention by political leaders.

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