Exclusive Nation's First 'Integrated K-12 Urban Future School' to Be Built in Suwon-mu District

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] The establishment plan for the nation's first integrated kindergarten-elementary-middle school 'Urban Future School' has conditionally passed the Ministry of Education's central investment screening, accelerating the school's construction prospects.

Rep. Kim Jin-pyo of the Democratic Party (Suwon-mu) announced on the 10th, "The Urban Future School establishment plan passed at the Ministry of Education's Central Investment Screening Committee held on the 6th, enabling the school to officially commence construction." He added, "I hope the Urban Future School becomes a new model for Korean public education."

The Urban Future School, scheduled to be built in the i-Park City apartment complex area (1339 Gwonseon-dong, Gwonseon-gu, Suwon; 12,272 ㎡ site area), integrates a kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school (4 kindergarten classes, 18 elementary classes, 12 middle classes, and 1 special education class). It is a next-generation school that includes a swimming pool, gymnasium, library, and community center for use by local residents. The total project cost is approximately 72.1 billion won, with construction scheduled to begin this year and target completion in February 2023.

Rep. Kim began reviewing the school establishment in response to local residents' demands for a middle school during his candidacy for the 20th National Assembly elections in 2016. Through continuous dialogue with residents, he determined that establishing an integrated kindergarten-elementary-middle school could simultaneously address classroom overcrowding, student safety, and cultural and welfare amenities for local residents.

Subsequently, he engaged in continuous consultations with Deputy Prime Minister for Education You Eun-hye, Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education Lee Jae-jeong, and Suwon Mayor Yeum Tae-young regarding the integrated school establishment. In July 2018, he formally proposed the Urban Future School establishment with complex facilities to the City of Suwon.

After dozens of working-level consultations, the Ministry of Education and Gyeonggi Province Office of Education began investigating the school establishment's feasibility starting in August 2019. Recently, based on these findings, the Ministry submitted the Urban Future School establishment plan to the central investment screening, and it has now passed review, enabling full-scale school construction to proceed.

Rep. Kim stated, "The Suwon-mu area has been subject to altitude restrictions due to the 10th Combat Flight Wing, and despite the emergence of an apartment complex with 7,000 units, the fragmented licensing approval process has resulted in insufficient elementary and middle school facilities, causing considerable hardship for many students." He continued, "Once the Urban Future School is completed, students who previously had to spend 30 minutes walking and crossing Deok-yeong-daero—Suwon's widest avenue with 12 lanes—for their commute will be able to safely and conveniently access school, and local residents will also be able to freely use sports facilities, libraries, and community amenities."

He added, "I extend my sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Education officials who continuously supported resolving this challenging issue, Superintendent Lee Jae-jeong, related personnel at the city and provincial education offices, Mayor Yeum Tae-young, City of Suwon officials, and especially the local residents for their support and patience."