First overseas campus since school's 1853 founding

174.9 billion won invested across 29,495 square meters for kindergarten, elementary and middle school

Campus to accommodate 1,350 students, opening in August 2028

Lawmaker Kim Do-eup [Provided by Kim's office]
Lawmaker Kim Do-eup [Provided by Kim's office]

The Busan campus of Britain's Royal Russell School will break ground in Myeongji International New Town. People Power Party Lawmaker Kim Do-eup, who represents Gangseo-gu in Busan, announced Friday that construction of the Royal Russell School Busan campus will begin Monday.

Founded in London in 1853 and backed by the British royal family, Royal Russell School is a prestigious private institution. The Busan campus, to be built in Myeongji International New Town in Gangseo-gu, will be the school's first overseas campus since its founding.

The first phase of the project will invest 174.9 billion won ($130 million) to establish a kindergarten, elementary school and middle school on a 29,495-square-meter site in Myeongji International New Town. The campus will accommodate up to 1,350 students and is scheduled to open in August 2028. A second phase will add a high school campus at a later date. The project is expected to improve educational and residential conditions in western Busan by strengthening the international education infrastructure of Myeongji International New Town.

A representative from Kim's office said the lawmaker had held direct meetings with a board member of Royal Russell School's UK headquarters, the head of the Busan campus establishment committee, the deputy ambassador at the British Embassy in Seoul, and a representative of the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea. The representative added that Kim had mediated negotiations among Busan city, the Korea Land and Housing Corp. and Royal Russell School to resolve a range of challenges, including a construction cost increase.

"The establishment of the Royal Russell School Busan campus marks a pivotal turning point for Myeongji International New Town in its journey to become a global education city," Kim said. "We will do our utmost to build an international education foundation befitting the stature of Myeongji International New Town, so that the next generation can grow into global talent."


kaf2002@heraldcorp.com