South Korea Adds 16 Agreement-Type Specialized High Schools (South Korea, June 2026)
The Ministry of Education selected 16 schools in 10 regions for the third round of agreement-type specialized high schools. The selected schools will prepare in the second half of 2026 and begin recruiting new students from 2027.
The Ministry of Education selected 16 schools in 10 regions for the third round of agreement-type specialized high schools. The selected schools will prepare in the second half of 2026 and begin recruiting new students from 2027.
What Changed?
Sixteen additional specialized high schools were added to the agreement-type model, which links local governments, education offices, schools and industries around regional technical workforce needs.
Old System vs New System
Before this selection round, 20 schools had been chosen in the 2024 and 2025 rounds, and some regions still had no agreement-type specialized high school.
The national network expands to 36 selected schools, with 2026 selections preparing curriculum, department restructuring and local-industry cooperation before 2027 intake.
Who Is Affected?
Student Impact
Students in selected schools may access more regionally tailored technical programs, stronger employer links and clearer pathways into local employment.
Parent / Family Impact
Families considering vocational high school can compare newly selected regional programs and their industry partnerships before 2027 admissions.
School / Institution Impact
Selected schools must prepare innovation plans, curriculum changes, teacher training and cooperation agreements with local partners.
Teacher / Staff Impact
Teachers in selected schools may need training and curriculum redesign work aligned with regional industry needs.
Key Dates
- 2026-06-08: third-round selection announced
- 2026 second half: innovation preparation
- 2027 school year: new student recruitment begins.
What To Do
- Prospective students should review the selected schools
- target industries
- department changes and 2027 admissions information.
What To Watch Next
Watch whether selected schools complete department restructuring and whether additional regions receive designations in later rounds.
Global Context
The model is comparable to regional skills strategies in other advanced economies, where vocational schools are tied more closely to local labor markets.
Source Record
Source type: Government policy material
Source name: KDI Economic Information and Education Center / Ministry of Education