Yeomyung School, an alternative school for North Korean defectors, has settled in the site of the closed Yeomgang Elementary School in Gangseo, Seoul, with support from Hyundai Motor Company, the Ministry of Unification, and the Seoul Education Office.
On July 24, Hyundai Motor Group announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Unification and the Seoul Education Office for the construction of new facilities for Yeomyung School.
Founded in 2004 in Bongcheon-dong, Seoul, Yeomyung School is an alternative school for North Korean defectors that received official recognition for middle and high school education in 2010. The school has faced challenges in establishing a permanent location due to a lack of space and facilities.
Since 2023, the school has been operating under a temporary use permit at the site of the closed Yeomgang Elementary School, but the permit is set to expire in February 2027, necessitating the search for a new location.
In response, Hyundai Motor Group, the Ministry of Unification, and the Seoul Education Office have stepped in to support Yeomyung School's stable establishment. Hyundai Motor Group will provide funding for the construction of new school facilities, reportedly amounting to 6 billion won.
The Seoul Education Office will offer the site of the closed Yeomgang Elementary School for the new school construction at no cost, while the Ministry of Unification will assist with relevant administrative and legal improvements. Yeomyung School will oversee the construction and operation of the new facilities.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to implement tailored education and support programs for current and former students of Yeomyung School. The company will deploy 20 college mentors from its social contribution program, H-Jump School, to provide customized learning in subjects such as English, math, and science. Additionally, the school will offer career exploration programs during winter break and vocational lectures, as well as build a community with alumni to assist with career planning and social adaptation. The Hyundai Chung Mong-koo Foundation will also provide scholarships for outstanding graduates to cover college tuition and living expenses.
“The newly created educational space will be a cradle of hope where students can dream bigger and plan for their futures,” said Sung Kim, president of Hyundai Motor Group. “We will continue to work closely with relevant agencies to create an inclusive society where all children can realize their potential.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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