Minister Park Sunae's Inauguration: "I Will Remove the 'Sandbag' of Higher Education Regulation"

"Drunk Driving Controversy: 'Different from Public Expectations'"
Emphasizing Full Review of Higher Education Regulations
Promising to Bridge Educational Gaps and Foster Digital Competencies

Park Soon-ae, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, is delivering her inaugural speech at the inauguration ceremony held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 5th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Park Soon-ae, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, announced on the 5th that she will conduct a comprehensive review of higher education systems and policies upon taking office. Regarding the drunk driving controversy, she said, "It was different from the public's expectations."

At the inauguration ceremony held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, Minister Park said, "Since my nomination, I have realized how significant the position of a public figure is," adding, "Although I have lived as an educator all my life, it seems that my perspective was quite different from that of the public."

Minister Park added, "I am aware that many people in the education sector still have concerns about whether I am the right person the public truly wants," and said, "I will listen with a more humble heart and strive to meet the expectations of the people."

In her inaugural speech, Minister Park emphasized that while promoting the new government's education reform, she will conduct a full review of regulations on higher education.

She stated, "Universities are the cradle for nurturing talent and the focal point that can lead national and regional development, making them the most critical starting point for 'education reform,'" adding, "We will actively support the autonomous innovation and growth of universities and comprehensively review existing systems and regulations?from university operations to academic affairs, quota management, finances, and evaluations?to ensure flexibility and autonomy."

She continued, "While continuing discussions on areas needing regulatory improvement, we will remove the sandbags that have hindered the growth and leap of higher education."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Park emphasized the importance of talent and education and pledged to realize future education based on 'autonomy, creativity, and fairness.'

She said, "The most important responsibility and role of the state in nurturing future talent is to guarantee fair and equal educational opportunities so that a 'tilted playing field' does not form," adding, "We will work to eliminate educational disparities and break the link between unequal educational opportunities and socioeconomic inequality."

She continued, "Regardless of economic status, all students should be able to receive the education they want from early childhood to university. The state will take responsibility by providing education and care, expanding financial aid for tuition, and alleviating the burden of education costs," adding, "We will strengthen tailored support for 'educationally disadvantaged' groups such as students with disabilities, multicultural and North Korean defector students, and dropouts."

She also pledged to create a school education system that respects diversity and autonomy and to support the cultivation of digital literacy.

Minister Park said, "We will open up diverse educational opportunities so that students can receive education and choose careers according to their talents and aptitudes," adding, "Since each school has different characteristics, we will expand autonomy at the field level to enable tailored education according to individual circumstances."

She added, "Students will systematically acquire basic knowledge and receive sufficient digital education, software (SW), and artificial intelligence (AI) education through public education, supporting all students to cultivate the digital literacy necessary for the future era."