Lee Nak-yeon Proposes Prioritizing Kindergarten and Lower Grade Students for Returning to School

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed on the 22nd to responsibly prioritize in-person attendance for kindergarteners and lower-grade elementary school students to resolve educational issues caused by the aftermath of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

At the highest-level meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Lee said, "We must join forces to resolve the educational inequality caused by COVID-19," and suggested this measure.

He stated, "The gap in care and learning results in costly socioeconomic expenses," and added, "Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, also mentioned that there is little difference in infection rates before and after schools closed."

He continued, "Countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, and France are implementing phased in-person attendance starting with lower grades who find self-learning difficult," and said, "We hope that the Ministry of Education and quarantine authorities will consult and consider a plan to responsibly prioritize in-person attendance even for lower grades."

In addition, Lee called for ▲supporting digital infrastructure for remote classes for vulnerable groups ▲deploying basic academic support personnel for lower-grade elementary students ▲expanding training for remote class platforms to strengthen direct communication between teachers and students ▲and revitalizing public education in the 4th industrial revolution.