New International School Opening Soon

The most inconvenience to the foreign residents in Seoul is said to be the education system.

A lack of well-facilitated schools like those in advanced countries is one of the obstacles to inducing investment in Korea.

In an effort to attract more investors to South Korea by alleviating foreigners’ concerns over Korea’s education system, the government, Seoul city government and economic circles shared a view to build the Yongsan Foreign School scheduled to open in August, and completed its construction on June 23.

The international school, about 7,000 pyeong in size, where there used be the Bogwang Water Purification Center in Hannam-dong Yongsan-gu, Seoul, accommodates as many as 1,000 students ranged from kindergarteners to high schoolers.

In addition, it has a soccer field, gymnasium, swimming pool, library and auditorium.

Both foreign residents in Korea and Korean students who have gone to schools abroad for more than 5 years are entitled to enter the school.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy financed 10 billion won, whereas the government and economic organizations offered 25 billion won to meet the budget of 35 billion won in total. The Seoul city government lent the building site free of charge.

International Christian School running the school in Huam-dong, Yongsan, will operate the newly-built Yongsan Foreign School. The international school at Huam-dong is set to be merged with Yongsan Foreign School.

Jeong-Hun Park sunshade@donga.com