The Ministry of Education is designating some lifelong learning cities as specialized cities and adding new ones to address regional challenges including the artificial intelligence transformation and aging population. The total number of lifelong learning cities will increase to 206 this year, with 91.2% of local governments nationwide now operating as lifelong learning cities.
The Ministry of Education and the National Institute for Lifelong Education announced the "2026 Lifelong Learning City Selection Results" on the 10th. Lifelong learning cities are a system that enables residents to continue learning and developing skills through various educational programs in their communities, even without attending schools or universities. The key focus is supporting local governments in operating diverse lifelong education programs including digital education and reemployment training.
Nine existing lifelong learning cities have been designated as "specialized lifelong learning cities." The selected areas are Jeongseon-gun in Gangwon, Suseong-gu in Daegu, Yeonje-gu in Busan, Gangseo·Buk·Sasang·Saha-gu in Busan, Gokseong-gun in South Jeolla, Naju-si in South Jeolla, Jeju-si in Jeju, Cheonan-si in South Chungcheong, and Chungju-si in North Chungcheong. These regions plan to operate lifelong education programs tailored to local conditions, including AI and digital learning, regional industry participation, intergenerational exchange, and middle-aged talent development.
Five areas were selected as new lifelong learning cities: Goseong-gun in Gangwon, Gimcheon-si in North Gyeongsang, Ulleung-gun in North Gyeongsang, Seocho-gu in Seoul, and Jangseong-gun in South Jeolla. As a result, the number of lifelong learning cities increased from 201 last year to 206 this year, with 91.2% of local governments nationwide now operating as lifelong learning cities.
Metropolitan-level cooperative projects will also be promoted. Five metropolitan governments—Gyeongnam, Gwangju, Seoul, Jeonbuk, and Chungbuk—were selected for "metropolitan-type regional lifelong learning support." Universities, businesses, and multiple lifelong learning cities will participate together to operate AI and digital education, senior lifelong education, and programs addressing regional challenges.
The Ministry of Education will provide approximately 30 million won to specialized lifelong learning cities and approximately 50 million won to metropolitan-type projects through the "2026 Regional Lifelong Education Revitalization Support Project." Local governments will also invest matching local funds to implement the projects.
"We will create a lifelong learning ecosystem that benefits local residents and society through cooperation among local governments, universities, and businesses," said Ye Hye-ran, Director of Lifelong Education Support at the Ministry of Education.