Yeongjong International School, Local Residents 'Counting Down'

[USA Herald Economy] Posted on: 2024/01/18 05:05 in Society

The Yeongjong Parents Alliance is seen signing an agreement with the representatives from the BIEK headquarters and the Korean branch for the establishment of King's College School international school in the UK and taking a commemorative photo.〈Provided by Yeongjong Parents Alliance〉

[Herald Economy (Incheon) = Reporter Lee Hong-seok] Residents of Yeongjong Island, led by the Yeongjong Parents Alliance, IFEZ Global Citizens Council Yeongjong District, and Yeongjong International City General Association, are entering the final countdown for attracting the top-tier prestigious King's College School (hereinafter referred to as King's) international school to the region.

The Yeongjong Parents Alliance has officially entered the race to attract King's by signing an agreement on the implementation of scholarship programs proposed by King's for local students in the Incheon Free Economic Zone and others.

On the 18th, with local residents including the Yeongjong International City General Association (17 organizations) in attendance, an agreement was signed with the BIEK headquarters and the Korean branch, as well as the IFEZ Yeongjong International City Goldenterrace City (formerly Midan City), to attract King's international school and commit to mutually beneficial development with the local community after its establishment.

This agreement, promising mutual benefits between the international school and local residents, marks the first of its kind after the establishment of an international school in Korea.

The agreement was signed by Park Soo-hyun and Kim Jin-mi, co-representatives of the Yeongjong Parents Alliance, Henry Aronsson, representative of the BIEK headquarters, and Joseph Choi, representative of the Korean branch.

The main contents of the agreement include establishing a scholarship system for local students, English camps, and various educational support measures after the establishment of King's international school, as well as sharing the school's sports facilities for the local residents, reflecting the opinions of the Yeongjong Parents Alliance and residents.

Previously, King's had sent a letter to Do Seong-hoon, the Superintendent of Education in Incheon, in December last year, clearly stating their intention to establish the Yeongjong International School and expressing their proposal for cooperation in selecting scholarship students and other matters.

Park Soo-hyun, co-representative of the Yeongjong Parents Alliance, said, "We have experienced various elections and issues such as incinerators and toll problems in the Yeongjong area, and realized that verbal promises are not kept, leading us to sign this agreement for the assured implementation of the promises." She expressed satisfaction with the agreement and gratitude towards King's for showing a firm commitment to establishment.

She added, "Especially, no other school has provided as detailed proposals for community contribution, such as scholarship programs for local students, as King's has."

Subsequently, the Yeongjong Parents Alliance and the Yeongjong International City General Association visited Incheon City, delivering the signatures of approximately 3,000 Yeongjong area parents and the position on attracting King's International School, which is preferred by local residents.

These organizations plan to strongly suggest the preference for attracting King's International School, the most favored by parents and local residents, in a meeting with Incheon Mayor Yu Jeong-bok, urging the fulfillment of promises made during the May 2022 mayoral election.

The Yeongjong Parents Alliance has been actively working to attract the King's College School (King's) international school since December last year, including hosting a public meeting with representatives from King's, launching a parental signature campaign, and producing promotional banners.

Joseph Choi, representative of the BIEK Korean branch, said, "I sincerely thank the residents of Yeongjong area who have shown interest in King's." He added, "The agreement was consulted with the main school in the UK and submitted to Incheon City and the Incheon City Office of Education as part of King's social responsibility plan focusing on community contribution. If the enthusiasm of the residents leads to results, the implementation of the agreement will become a reality."

Meanwhile, the Incheon Economic Authority recently announced plans to attract and establish the Yeongjong International School in response to local public opinion, with a community meeting with local residents scheduled for next week, drawing attention to how the growing preference for King's among residents will be reflected.