In multicultural Itaewon, Seoul launches free survival swimming for all primary grades

In Itaewon, Seoul's diverse district, a groundbreaking public safety initiative has been introduced: free and compulsory survival swimming lessons for all primary school students. This pioneering program, set to commence on September 1st, will be implemented at Itaewon Elementary School. The decision to fund water survival training for every grade, from first through sixth, was announced by the Yongsan District office on Friday.

This is the first time a Seoul district has taken on the responsibility of fully financing water survival training for all primary students.

Traditionally, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has sponsored water safety instruction exclusively for third and fourth graders. However, recognizing the unique circumstances of Yongsan District, the Yongsan District office amended municipal sports ordinances to cover all primary students. Many of these students hail from the district's substantial population of foreign diplomats, expatriates, and multicultural families.

The policy's significance is amplified in the context of Yongsan District, a global hub within Seoul. According to municipal demographic data, roughly 18,000 foreign residents reside in the district, comprising nearly eight percent of its total population. This makes Yongsan one of the districts with the highest concentration of foreign residents in the Korean capital.