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| The former building of the Yongpyo branch of Nakdong Elementary School in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, has been turned into a camping facility for families from the capital. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
With aging population, rural public schools find new use
By Lee Suh-yoon
When Kim Ji-woon came to live near Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, two years ago, the former building of the Yongpyo branch of Nakdong Elementary School, where he now works, had long been empty.
"It was hard to catch a glimpse of children or young people around here," Kim, 46, told The Korea Times on Monday.
Kim is now the caretaker of a family camping site hosting visitors mostly from the capital. The site occupies both the school grounds and the building. Since its opening last Friday, the former public school has been flowing with visitors.
"The village elders say they like [the camping site], as it brings big city residents, livening up an otherwise quiet and deserted neighborhood," Kim said. "During the opening days last weekend, people came and spent one or two nights, visiting nearby tourist sites and restaurants."
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| A billiard room for campers inside a former classroom / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
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| Vehicle camping sites and tents are set up on the sports field in front of the former school. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
Located a 20-minute drive southeast of central Sangju, the school closed its doors in 2015. The falling birth rate combined with young people departing to bigger cities pushed the population of Sangju below 100,000 for the first time in February, a dip from 265,000 in 1965.
The former school building now hosts the eighth in a series of camping sites run by Seoul Metropolitan Government, in a project turning empty school buildings in scenic rural landscapes into weekend getaways for city-dwellers. Similar renovations have taken place at deserted schools in Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, South Jeolla and Gangwon provinces.
The sandy sports field on the school grounds is now fitted with 20 four-person tents, each with a drive-in parking space on one side. Visitors can freely use the barbecue pits and tables outside. Showers and bathrooms are located inside the old school building, where former classrooms have been turned into billiard rooms and children's reading corners.
"It's a win-win arrangement for both the cities and the countryside. The camping site employs local residents and channels visitors to nearby tourist sites and shops, livening up the local economy," Shim Se-young, a Seoul official, said in a phone interview.
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| A baduk, or go, playing room is set up inside a former classroom. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
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| An outdoor mural depicting persimmon trees, common in Sangju, at the entrance of the camping site / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
The camping site was full in its opening weekend. Sangju City says it will work to link up visitors with the local economy.
"We plan to set up a special sales booth for local agriculture produce in one of the classrooms in the next month or two," Im Jong-suk, a Sangju City official, said. "We will also set up signs guiding campers to nearby tourist attractions."
Some popular spots near the campsite include an observation deck along the Nakdong River, dried persimmon farms, and a horse-riding course.
Anyone registered at Seoul City's public service website yeyak.seoul.go.kr can reserve a spot at the site. The facilities are free until May 6, when the trial period ends. Afterward, a four-person tent with parking space will cost 25,300 won ($22) per night.
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