Jeju Global Education City to Build 5th International School; University Zone Decision Due in November

Photo provided by JDC. [Jeju = Jang In-seo] Fulton Science Academy Atherton (FSAA), the fifth international school in Jeju Global Education City, will be established there.FSAA, which broke ground in April, is aiming to open in August 2028. The Jeju Free International City Development Center (JDC) said it plans to finalize the direction of the second-phase university zone in November, as the opening dates for the sixth and seventh schools remain undecided amid a decline in school-age population and delays in attracting foreign universities.■ Fifth international school to open in 2028 JDC said during a briefing for reporters covering the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 27th at Branksome Hall Asia in Jeju Global Education City, Seogwipo City, that construction of FSAA began in April. FSAA, which has its main campus in Atlanta, Georgia, is a coeducational boarding school that serves students from kindergarten through high school.
It will have a capacity of 1,354 students, 63 classes, and a site area of 84,000 square meters. The total investment is about 200 billion won, including 165 billion won in construction costs.
Cheon Gu, head of JDC's Education and Culture Division, said at the briefing, "FSAA was first proposed by a domestic investor, and JDC selected it from among several proposals," adding, "As Jeju Global Education City has taken root, outside parties are now coming to us first. " FSAA received approval for its establishment plan in March 2024, followed by a building permit in November that year and approval for the implementation plan in January last year.
It is scheduled to receive approval for school establishment in May 2028 and complete construction and open in August of the same year. Four schools are currently operating in Jeju Global Education City: NLCS Jeju, BHA, SJA Jeju, and KIS Jeju.
1% compared with the planned capacity of 5,176. 5828 trillion won through 2025.
Reporters covering the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport who visited Branksome Hall Asia (BHA) in Jeju Global Education City, Seogwipo City, on the 27th move toward the school building. Photo by Jang In-seo.Cheon said, "About seven schools, including British and American institutions, have repeatedly proposed sites," and added, "Because the decline in school-age population is severe and there is competition from unaccredited schools, no clear decision has been made on when to open the sixth and seventh schools. 5% of the total 3,795,970 square meters of Jeju Global Education City.
It was originally planned around foreign universities, but land development work has not begun because Jeju Province has been slow to attract universities and environmental groups have opposed the project after endangered wildlife was found on the site. Cheon explained, "I understand that Jeju Province has contacted about 60 universities in roughly six countries," adding, "Attracting universities involves various costs, including construction expenses, so financial support has become a stumbling block." He added, "I understand that Jeju Province is preparing a project plan to replace the foreign university attraction effort." JDC plans to work out the direction of the university zone after consultations with relevant agencies by September.
It will then complete internal decision-making, including a board meeting in October, and seek final approval from the Supporting Committee for Jeju Special Self-Governing Province in November.
As a result, a conclusion is expected within the year on whether the long-stalled university zone will continue to be developed around foreign universities or be converted into an alternative project.
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