The older adult graduates, from left, Kim Soon-deok, Jang Hwa-nyeo, Park Hyang-im, Lee Sun-sook, pose during the graduation ceremony at Goonseo Elementary School in Yeonggwang County, South Jeolla Province, Thursday. Courtesy of Goonseo Elementary School

A special graduation ceremony took place at Goonseo Elementary School in Yeonggwang County, South Jeolla Province, Thursday. Among the six graduates, four were elderly women who fulfilled a lifelong dream of completing their elementary education after missing the opportunity in their youth.

Kim Soon-deok, 81, Jang Hwa-nyeo, 77, Park Hyang-im, 76, and Lee Sun-sook, 75, received their diplomas after completing six years of elementary education. Their faces lit up with smiles as they celebrated the milestone alongside younger classmates and supportive teachers.

The graduates expressed gratitude toward Kim Min-keon, a 13-year-old student who guided and supported them throughout their journey. Acting as both their mentor and friend, Kim ensured they had everything they needed for classes and provided encouragement to them along the way.

Despite the demands of farming and their aging bodies, the four women found joy and purpose in their studies.

Kim Soon-deok, the eldest, shared that her desire to learn grew after raising her children, sending them to college, and watching them marry. Having channeled her unfulfilled desire for education into supporting her children, she ensured they graduated from college and got married.

It was only afterward that she felt a deep longing to pursue her own learning. Initially worried about fitting in with classmates young enough to be her grandchildren, she soon formed close, family-like bonds with them, receiving their support and care, which helped her graduate successfully.

Their homeroom teacher, Park Jeong-jo, praised the four elderly students as exemplary, noting that they rarely missed a day of school, except for ancestral rites. "They worked harder than the younger students in subjects like physical education, computer skills, English, experiential learning and even school trips," Park said.

The women enrolled at the school after their families inquired about admission. With declining student numbers, the school welcomed them warmly. Although six elderly women initially joined, two had to drop out due to health issues.

Kim Soon-deok, eager to continue her education, has now enrolled at Gunam Middle School.

"Thanks to the students and teachers who taught me like I was their grandchild, I was able to complete school without much difficulty," Kim said. "Although I tend to forget things more easily at my age and even attended extra classes, there's still so much I want to learn. I'm determined to continue studying in middle school."

A photo taken last summer during their sixth-grade year. From left are Kim Soon-deok, Lee Sun-sook, Jang Hwa-nyeo, Park Hyang-im, and student Kim Min-keon who guided and supported them throughout their school years. Yonhap

Her son, Chung Won-sik, said, "As a parent, I deeply admire my mother for overcoming countless challenges and standing proudly as the star of her graduation. She has truly embodied the saying, 'Learning knows no age,' and I wish her the best as she begins this new chapter in her life."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.