- Donghae has launched a mid- to long-term education master plan (2027-2031) to address declining student population and regional sustainability challenges.
- The plan, developed with Kangwon National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, focuses on linking education with local industries like ocean tech, tourism, and hydrogen energy.
- The goal is to transform Donghae into a future-ready education hub by aligning learning pathways with regional economic development and job ecosystems.
South Korea’s Donghae City education development plan is taking a strategic turn as the city officially launched a kickoff briefing for its ambitious mid- to long-term education master plan (2027-2031) on April 24 at City Hall. The initiative comes as local authorities confront two pressing challenges: a declining school-age population and growing concerns about long-term regional sustainability.
Led by the Donghae City government in Gangwon Province, the project is designed to build a comprehensive roadmap for the future of education, with a strong focus on linking learning systems to regional identity and economic development. The Kangwon National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation will carry out the six-month research project, working closely with local education authorities and policymakers.
At the heart of the plan is a vision to redefine Donghae as a future-ready education city in South Korea, where schools are not just institutions of learning but drivers of regional revitalization. The strategy includes building a distinctive educational brand for Donghae City, designing learning models aligned with local industries, and restructuring education programs to better match evolving workforce needs.
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A key highlight of the proposal is its integration of regional strengths such as ocean industries, tourism, and hydrogen energy into the local education innovation strategy, aiming to create specialized academic pathways that connect students directly with future job ecosystems.
City officials, including the Deputy Mayor and representatives from the Donghae Office of Education, emphasized the importance of collaboration and policy alignment during the briefing session. The discussion also opened the floor for broader input on how to strengthen education-driven regional development in Donghae.
Mayor Sim Gyueon underscored that education is central to the city’s survival and growth, framing the initiative as a foundation for building a sustainable education ecosystem in Donghae City. By aligning learning systems with local opportunities, the city aims to encourage young people to stay, grow, and build their futures locally, rather than leaving for larger urban centers.
