Vitality in the Depopulating Region of Cheongyang: The Special Story of Jeongsan Middle School Students Coming to Study Table Tennis

Amidst the population extinction crisis in Cheongyang, South Chungcheong Province, a local school is breathing new vitality into the region. In the program 'Trot Kitchen: Traveling Dinner Show' broadcast by TV CHOSUN JOY, the journey of the cast members was depicted as they passed the Chilgapsan Tower, a landmark in Cheongyang, to visit the Jeongsan Middle School gymnasium.

One-fifth of students are table tennis players; changes driven by specialized regional projects

Jeongsan Middle School is drawing attention as a case where population is actually flowing in, despite being located in the depopulating region of Cheongyang. According to head teacher Jang Seong-bae, only about 20 students in total across elementary, middle, and high schools existed just three years ago, but the number of students is currently on an upward trend. In particular, the school's specialized project, the table tennis club, is playing a key role in this growth. Currently, about one-fifth of the students at Jeongsan Middle School belong to the table tennis club, accounting for a significant portion of the entire school population.

These students continue their training through a linked table tennis education system that connects elementary, middle, and high schools. The school provides opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school table tennis clubs to provide linked education, creating an environment where athletes can advance to higher-level schools. Table tennis students met on-site showed intense gazes and dynamic visual acuity as they immersed themselves in training.

"Coming to study because of the table tennis club," an influx route moving with parents

The background of table tennis players coming to Cheongyang to study lies in the systematic educational environment. Professional personnel, such as coach Lee Chang-gyu and trainer Shin In-cheol, are stationed at the school to guide the students. Considering that minor athletes cannot move alone, the structure naturally leads to population influx as they move to the region along with their parents.

Head teacher Jang Seong-bae explained that the elementary, middle, and high school table tennis clubs are conducting linked education through the coaching staff. This educational connection provides opportunities for athletes to advance to higher-level schools and serves as a major route for athletes to enter the region with their parents to study. Jeongsan Middle School is contributing to the population influx of the local community by making the operation of this table tennis club one of its specialized projects.

Source: TVCHOSUN JOY (YouTube)