South Korea Launches 1,141 AI-Focused Schools and Plans to Expand to 2,000 Within Three Years

On March 9, South Korea's Ministry of Education announced that 1,141 AI-focused schools had begun operating, with plans to expand to 1,500 in 2027 and 2,000 in 2028.

The network of focused schools takes on curriculum practice, teacher experience-sharing, and regional diffusion, moving AI education from a small number of special projects into a nationwide school system.

Required AI-related instructional time rises from 34 hours to at least 68 hours in elementary school and from 68 hours to at least 102 hours in middle school. Key areas to watch include actual instructional time, teacher staffing, and evidence of student learning.