Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Chuncheon kindergarten teacher investigated for alleged abuse of two 5-year-old students

A kindergarten teacher in Chuncheon, Gangwon, is under police investigation after two 5-year-old children said the teacher kicked them in the stomach during separate visits to a staff room earlier this month.

2025-11-20

Korea weighs banning 'English kindergartens' amid parental backlash

In Korea, many parents turn to “English kindergartens” in the hope that their children will pick up the language naturally, despite the steep tuition fees. However, such institutions could soon disappear if a bill seeking to abolish them passes.

2025-10-06

23 English 'kindergartens' hit with penalties for level tests

Twenty-three English kindergartens across Korea gave admission tests to preschoolers, the Ministry of Education said Thursday, calling for an end to a practice that fuels Korea's longstanding problem of early private tutoring.

2025-09-04

63 English academies penalized for excessive education for preschoolers

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education uncovered 63 English academies for young children that promoted excessive early education, such as prepping 4-year-olds for civil service-style testing, and imposed various penalties.

2025-08-03

Busan begins shuttering its day care centers as birthrate struggles on

Busan is repurposing closed day care centers into community and entrepreneurial spaces as child enrollment drops, but critics highlight insufficient actions regarding private facilities in the city.

2025-05-27

Police to investigate choking death of 2-year-old at day care

A two-year-old boy died after choking on food at a day care center in Gimpo, Gyeonggi, prompting a police investigation on Thursday.

2025-05-22

Education Ministry to launch pilot program for integrated kindergartens and nurseries

The Ministry of Education said on Tuesday that it will launch a pilot program for integrated children and toddler education starting in September at 152 child care institutions nationwide. A 12-hour-long child care will be available on weekdays.

2024-08-20

As birthrates plummet, kindergartens become nursing homes

Nose-diving birthrates are making older adults take over spaces previously occupied by children, transforming kindergartens into nursing homes. A 40-year-old kindergarten in Gwangju underwent just such a transformation.

2024-01-17

Despite low birth rates, preschool 'enrollment war' remains fierce

Korea faces record-low fertility rates and declining population, but parents are engaged in an enrollment war for preschool spots.

2023-11-12

Student population hits new low as 18-year decline continues

The total number of K-12 students in Korea has hit its lowest level since modern records began, reflecting the drastic decline of the country's birthrate in recent decades.

2023-08-30