Samcheok City Holds Education Development Special Zone Performance Discussion... Presents Blueprint for Future Education

by Lee jonggu

Published 16 Dec.2025 08:31(KST)

The "2025 Samcheok City Education Development Special Zone Project Performance Discussion" was held at Sol Beach Samcheok on December 15 to review the progress of the Samcheok City Education Development Special Zone project in Gangwon Province and explore the future direction of regional education.

Sangsoo Park, Mayor of Samcheok City, is delivering a greeting at the "2025 Samcheok City Education Development Special Zone Project Performance Discussion" held on the 15th. Provided by Samcheok City

This discussion was jointly organized by Samcheok City, the Samcheok Office of Education under Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and Kangwon National University, with the EDUPIA Samcheok Education Development Project Group serving as the host. The event brought together key figures in regional education, including Sangsoo Park, Mayor of Samcheok City, officials from the Samcheok Office of Education and Kangwon National University, representatives from various schools, and parent representatives, providing an opportunity for all stakeholders and participants to engage in meaningful dialogue.

Commendations were awarded to individuals who contributed to the advancement of the Education Development Special Zone project, and the major achievements of the Samcheok City Education Development Special Zone project were shared. The subsequent discussion session focused on presenting future directions for the project and exchanging diverse opinions on strategies to overcome local educational challenges through innovation in regional education.

The recipients of the mayoral commendations for their contributions to the project were Nam Eun Kim, teacher at Korea Energy Meister High School; Suchan Kim, teacher at Samil Middle School; Nayoon Park, director of Samcheok City Family Center; and Heejeong Oh, director of Heungjeon Regional Children's Center. Their achievements were recognized in various fields, including the introduction of hydrogen and new materials specialized education programs, revitalization of participation in educational programs, expansion of multicultural support programs, and operation of digital inclusion programs for underserved areas.

During the performance presentation, Professor Jang Jongsik of the EDUPIA Samcheok Education Development Project Group explained the project's implementation and achievements. He highlighted a variety of educational programs being promoted through the administrative and financial support of Samcheok City, the cooperation of the Samcheok Office of Education, and the educational expertise of Kangwon National University, including early childhood development programs, sports after-school care classes, and the Premier Edu program.

In particular, the project to repurpose the closed Sodal Elementary School-a local idle resource-into the "Sodal Learning Center" attracted significant attention. This initiative, driven by the combined efforts of Samcheok City, the Samcheok Office of Education, and Kangwon National University, was evaluated as presenting a concrete blueprint that could serve as a model not only for the Samcheok City Education Development Special Zone but also for education development zones nationwide.

Sangsoo Park, Mayor of Samcheok City, is taking a commemorative photo after awarding commendations to Nam Eun Kim, teacher at Korea Energy Meister High School; Suchan Kim, teacher at Samil Middle School; Nayoon Park, director of Samcheok City Family Center; and Heejeong Oh, director of Heungjeon Regional Children's Center on the 15th. Provided by Samcheok City

Sangsoo Park, Mayor of Samcheok City, stated, "With the decline in the school-age population and the reality of regional extinction, the Education Development Special Zone project is an important alternative to enhance the quality of local education and nurture future talent. Moving forward, we will continue to focus on the Education Development Special Zone project to create a sustainable educational environment and further strengthen the competitiveness of Samcheok's education."

Meanwhile, after being designated as a pilot area for the Education Development Special Zone by the Ministry of Education in July 2024, Samcheok City launched the EDUPIA Samcheok Education Development Project Group in partnership with Kangwon National University and has been promoting various educational innovation projects. In August, the city also established the legal and administrative foundation for support by enacting the "Ordinance on Support for the Samcheok City Education Development Project," continuing its efforts to secure the future of regional education.