Inside South Korea’s empty classrooms and efforts to reimagine them

Ryu Myung-jin, 73, walks inside the now-closed Hwayang Elementary School on March 28. PHOTO: THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

UPDATED Apr 05, 2025, 06:45 PM

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SEOUL - On a weekday afternoon at around 1.30pm, an eerie silence blankets the schoolyard of what was once Hwayang Elementary School in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

Where children’s laughter once filled the air, now only the rustling of trees in the spring breeze and occasional birdsong break the stillness.

The human presence has shifted dramatically. Elderly residents with canes now walk the empty grounds for afternoon exercise. Near the school gate, what was once a playground filled with swings, seesaws and slides has transformed into a parking lot for neighbourhood residents.

Hwayang Elementary closed its doors in February 2024, as South Korea’s persistently low birth rates in the past decade resulted in a shortage of students. Having remained vacant for over a year, the school’s outdoor area is now a popular exercise spot for nearby residents.

Ryu Myung-jin, 73, is among the school’s new frequent visitors.