Press Conference with the National Coalition
Criticism of Side Effects and Lack of Consultation
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Forty-seven members of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea, the Justice Party, and the Transition Korea Party held a press conference on the 4th together with the National Coalition to Prevent the Enrollment of Five-Year-Olds in Elementary School, demanding that the Yoon Seok-yeol administration withdraw its plan to lower the elementary school enrollment age to five years old.
At the press conference held at the National Assembly that day, the group of lawmakers urged the Yoon administration to: ▲immediately withdraw the plan to lower the elementary school enrollment age to five years old ▲directly apologize to parents of children born from 2018 to 2022 ▲apologize to all educational stakeholders and the public, including students, parents, and school staff.
The National Coalition stated, "Parents have long directly experienced the school maladjustment and stress suffered by children who enrolled early," and pointed out, "In educational settings, there is deep concern about the psychological and emotional problems children face due to an educational environment that does not match their developmental stages."
They also criticized, "Before the presidential briefing was announced, there was not a single consultation with students, parents, school staff, or even the National Council of Superintendents of Education across the country," calling it a "complete bypassing of the public."
Furthermore, they said, "The government did not consider any chain reactions or side effects when deciding on this important educational policy," highlighting issues such as teacher and classroom shortages and the surge in private education.
The National Coalition planned to hold a rally in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office on the same day and conduct a press conference along with a mass gathering on the following day, the 5th.
Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Deuk-gu, who held the press conference, told reporters afterward, "We conducted a survey in the lawmaker’s office. As of yesterday, more than 300,000 people participated," adding, "95 to 96% are opposed." He emphasized, "In the end, everyone shares the view that the president must make the final decision."
Lawmaker Kim Young-ho also criticized Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Park Soon-ae, saying, "Not a single word has come from the minister yet, and bypassing the National Assembly to just meet parents?I don’t understand what they are thinking," and added, "I believe a proper meeting should be arranged."
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