Kim Sung-soo, head of the Service Industry Promotion Division of the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) Authority, gives a briefing on its plan to select a foreign school foundation in Midan City during an information session in Incheon, Monday. Courtesy of IFEZ

The Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) Authority successfully held an information session to select a foreign school foundation for a new international school in Midan City, in Incheon's Yeongjong International City, Monday.

According to the IFEZ, numerous nonprofit foreign school foundations, stakeholders and local citizens interested in participating in the project attended the session. Participants received a briefing on the project overview and specific details of the public offering, followed by a Q&A session to share opinions and ask questions.

The IFEZ aims to attract prestigious international schools to enhance living conditions for foreign residents of Yeongjong International City and to revitalize the area. This information session was organized to provide fair participation opportunities for interested parties and to gather feedback.

Given the international nature of the project, the session was livestreamed on YouTube with simultaneous interpretation, allowing foreign school foundations that could not attend in person to participate online in real time via the IFEZ's YouTube channel. The video will remain available for reference regarding the public offering.

IFEZ Commissioner Yoon Won-seok emphasized the significance of establishing an international school in Midan City as a pivotal project for Yeongjong International City, urging attendees to support the development of a well-rounded, advanced educational curriculum suited to global standards.

Kim Sung-soo, head of the Service Industry Promotion Division, opened the presentation by highlighting Korea's commitment to education, famously known as the "Miracle on the Han River," and the IFEZ's reputation for pioneering advancements, as evidenced by its track record.

Kim explained that once the development of Midan City is complete, the population of Yeongjong International City is expected to reach 200,000. Demand from global companies, including Inspire Resort and the Incheon Airport Integrated Logistics Complex, is growing steadily.

He also noted that the residential environment of Midan City is set to undergo transformation by 2025. The opening of the Hansang IC early next year will connect Midan City with Hansang Dream Island, while the completion of the third Yeongjong Bridge and access roads by the end of 2025 will significantly improve connectivity between the Seoul metropolitan area and Midan City.

The IFEZ plans to announce the public offering by Jan. 10 next year, followed by the submission of business proposals and an evaluation in the first quarter to select a preferred negotiation candidate. The goal is to open the school around 2028-29.

This international school recruitment effort is expected to be the first successful case in Korea of establishing a foreign school foundation through an international public contest, rather than by direct contract.

Once completed, the IFEZ's plan to establish international schools in Songdo, Yeongjong and Cheongna will be realized.

Currently, the IFEZ is home to Chadwick International School and Calvin Manitoba International School in Songdo, as well as Dalton Foreign School in Cheongna. With the addition of an international school in Yeongjong, there will be four prestigious K-12 foreign schools in the area, further establishing Incheon as a global education hub.