South Korea President Visits First Public School Offering a Continuum for Intellectual Disabilities

President Lee Jae-myung visited Eune School in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, on the 13th. The public special school, opened in 2023, serves kindergarten and elementary students with intellectual disabilities and is described as Korea’s first nationwide public facility offering this continuum of education.

During a small gathering with parents and school staff, the president acknowledged the heavy burden carried by families and said he understood their experiences. He urged special-education teachers to sustain their commitment with compassion and to nurture the caring approach that supports students.

After the meeting, the president observed classes and joined students in activities such as playing musical instruments. The school’s principal said the visit was the first by a sitting president and described it as a source of comfort and hope for teachers and families alike.

Eune School is noted as Korea’s first public school nationwide to provide a combined early-education and elementary program for intellectual disabilities. It aims to tailor instruction to students’ developmental stages and to improve educational outcomes for this student group.

The president also suggested that separating early education by disability type could be more effective educationally, a point the Blue House framed as reflecting input from the field of special education.

A Blue House deputy spokesperson said the visit was part of listening directly to the voices of those in the field and strengthening the state’s responsibility for education.

Why this matters beyond Korea: the event highlights Korea’s emphasis on tailored, stage-based support for students with intellectual disabilities and ongoing family engagement. In the United States, debates continue over inclusive classrooms versus specialized settings, funding, teacher training, and government roles in ensuring access to appropriate services under IDEA. The Korean model—combining kindergarten and elementary education in a public special-school setting—could inform international discussions on best practices, cross-border collaboration in disability education, and the deployment of specialized educators and technology to support early intervention and long-term outcomes.