Dongducheon Launches Major Online Education Support Drive

In a decisive move to bridge the educational divide and ease the financial strain on families, Dongducheon city has announced a new initiative aimed squarely at supporting its middle and high school students. As of February 5, 2026, the city has committed to subsidizing internet education expenses for students, offering access to a comprehensive online learning platform in partnership with Gangnam-gu’s renowned educational service.

This project, officially titled the ‘Gangnam-gu Internet Education Expense Support Project,’ is more than just a digital classroom. It’s a lifeline for students who might otherwise find themselves on the wrong side of the education gap. According to reports from JeongAn News and KMaeil, the service is designed to provide internal and skill-related education, covering the full spectrum of middle and high school curricula. The goal? To ensure that every student—regardless of family income—has the opportunity to excel academically and prepare for the all-important university entrance exams.

At the heart of the initiative lies a significant financial commitment: Dongducheon city is allocating 40 million won to support educational expenses. For families, this translates into real savings. Students are required to pay only a nominal personal fee of 5,000 won, a fraction of the full annual cost. In return, they gain unlimited access to over 1,600 online courses for an entire year. That’s not just a handful of lessons—it’s a vast library of lectures, study materials, and resources, all designed to boost learning outcomes and student confidence.

The scope of the offering is impressive. The Gangnam-gu Internet Education Service, operated by Gangnam-gu, is well-known in education circles for its comprehensive approach. It covers everything from daily schoolwork to the rigorous demands of college entrance exams. Students can choose from a broad array of subjects and skill levels, tailoring their study plans to their unique needs. And for those who sign up, the benefits don’t stop at video lectures. The package includes a wealth of supplementary materials—practice tests, downloadable notes, and interactive content—to help maximize each student’s potential.

But who can take advantage of this opportunity? The support is targeted specifically at middle and high school students living in Dongducheon city. The application window is open until February 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM, giving families just a few days to secure their spot. Registration is handled through the government’s online platform, Government24, which streamlines the process and ensures that no eligible student is left behind. Once applications are reviewed, successful students will receive their access rights to the platform by February 27, 2026.

“We will continue to promote various educational support policies so that students can reduce the burden of private education expenses and focus on their studies,” said Dongducheon Mayor Park Hyung-deok, as reported by JeongAn News. His words echo the city’s broader commitment to educational equity. The mayor’s statement underscores the belief that education should be a right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford expensive private tutoring or supplementary classes.

The urgency behind this initiative is hard to overstate. In South Korea, the pressure to succeed academically is intense. Private education—known locally as ‘hagwon’—often comes with a hefty price tag, putting low- and middle-income families at a disadvantage. By stepping in to cover the majority of these costs, Dongducheon is making a clear statement: no child should be denied opportunity because of their family’s financial situation.

According to both JeongAn News and KMaeil, the city’s support is expected to be a game-changer for local students. By easing financial difficulties, the project aims to help students concentrate fully on their studies. The hope is that with less time spent worrying about money—and with more resources at their fingertips—students will be able to achieve better academic outcomes and set themselves up for future success.

Of course, the city’s approach isn’t just about dollars and cents. It’s also about closing the so-called ‘education gap’—the persistent disparity in achievement between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. By providing equal access to high-quality learning materials, Dongducheon is working to level the playing field. The initiative is designed so that every student, regardless of their parents’ income or education level, can benefit from the same resources as their peers in more affluent areas.

The logistics of the program are straightforward. After registering through Government24, students will have their eligibility confirmed and their access granted by February 27. City hall will oversee the verification process, ensuring that only residents of Dongducheon benefit from the support. For families seeking more information or guidance, detailed instructions and FAQs are available on the Government24 website, making the process as transparent and accessible as possible.

While the immediate focus is on the 2026 school year, city officials have signaled that this is just the beginning. Mayor Park has pledged to continue exploring and implementing additional educational support policies in the future. The city’s leadership sees this project as part of a broader effort to foster a more inclusive, opportunity-rich environment for all its young residents.

For many parents and students, the impact of this initiative will be felt not just in the classroom, but at the kitchen table—where financial worries about education are all too common. The city’s support could mean the difference between a student struggling to keep up and a student thriving, between dreams deferred and dreams realized. And in a society where education is often seen as the key to upward mobility, that’s no small thing.

As the registration deadline approaches, Dongducheon’s students and their families are weighing their options and preparing their applications. For some, this could mark a turning point—a chance to access the kind of high-quality educational resources that were once out of reach. For others, it’s a reaffirmation that their community values their potential and is willing to invest in their future.

With the Gangnam-gu Internet Education Expense Support Project, Dongducheon is setting a powerful example of how local governments can step up to address inequality and support the next generation. It’s a bold step forward in the ongoing effort to ensure that every child, regardless of circumstance, has the tools they need to succeed.