Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province is moving forward with the substantialization of the 'rural study abroad' system to bridge the education gap between urban and rural areas and revitalize rural communities.

On the 24th, the province held the '2025 Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Rural Study Abroad Consultative Council' in the provincial government's video conference room and officially appointed 15 members as council members. The council, established in accordance with the "Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Rural and Fisheries Study Abroad Support Ordinance," is chaired by Vice Governor of Economic Affairs Kim Jong-hoon.

Jeonbuk's rural study abroad program was launched in 2022 through an agreement between Jeonbuk Province, the provincial education office, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, and the Jeonbuk Residents' Council, and has become a flagship policy of the 8th local government education cooperation policy. Starting with 27 students initially, the number of study abroad students has now increased to 204, who are balancing education and rural life at 28 schools in 10 cities and counties within the province.

This year, Jeonbuk Province is investing a total of 44.76 billion won in supporting study abroad expenses, operating specialized programs, establishing family residence-type housing facilities, and supporting center-based study abroad programs. They provide monthly study abroad expenses of 200,000 won per student and also operate region-specific ecological and cultural experience programs.

During the council meeting, discussions were held on improving the satisfaction of study abroad students' families and promoting ways to settle in the region.

Vice Governor Kim Jong-hoon stated, "Rural study abroad is an integrated policy that realizes education, settlement, and community recovery together," adding, "We will enhance the policy completeness to allow children to grow in nature and revitalize the region."