Korean Educational Development Institute(KEDI)

This study aims to explore the issues and challenges of implementation of global citizenship education (GCE) in South Korea. Through analyzing in-depth interviews with 19 educators who are in charge or who implement GCE, such as teachers, non- governmental organization (NGO) workers, and international organization (IO) staff, this study presents three major challenges: a partial understanding of GCE, contradictory values between GCE and social norms, and structural constraints regarding the government’s top-down approach. Based on findings, this study argues that existing contextual restraints must be reviewed in developing and implementing GCE, because GCE is shaped by these contextual factors. With consideration of these conceptual and structural limitations in Korean society, GCE could truly contribute to actualizing individual and social transformation.