Yoon: "Education Must Become a Competitive Market... Talent Is the Nation's Core"

Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture Report: "Education Must Guarantee Freedom and Creativity for Growth"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 5th, "Excellent talent and creative content are the core of national industry and competitiveness." Referring to the education sector, President Yoon said, "Only when there is a substantial competitive market structure can prices be reasonably formed and a variety of products desired by consumers be created." This implies that diversity in education is also important to foster growth potential and competitiveness.

During a joint briefing with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held at the Blue House State Guest House in the afternoon, President Yoon conveyed this message, saying, "Education and culture form the foundation of our free lifestyle, and they can only grow in an environment where freedom and creativity are fully guaranteed."

President Yoon Suk-yeol received a briefing on the work of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the Blue House State Guesthouse on the afternoon of the 5th. /

He particularly emphasized the diversity of education. President Yoon said, "If we respect freedom and creativity and aim to cultivate the growth potential and competitiveness of society through education, the most important thing is diversity in education," adding, "The state should not treat this as a state monopoly just because it oversees it." In other words, the education sector should also operate within a competitive market structure. Using the example of a 'monopoly market,' President Yoon elaborated, "Only when there is a substantial competitive market structure can prices become reasonable and various related products desired by consumers be created."

He also mentioned that the concept of education is changing. President Yoon stated, "In the past, education was about teachers transferring knowledge to students, but now it should be about utilizing knowledge in the cloud to develop problem-solving skills," and evaluated, "The concept of teachers is also changing from teacher to coach, consultant, helper, and so on." He continued, "Education has the responsibility to produce many digital talents capable of creative problem-solving and supply them to various industrial sectors."

Care was also cited as a key agenda. President Yoon said, "Care should be included in education," and added, "Taking care of people is a concept of teaching people, so the time has come for care to be incorporated into the education system." He also emphasized the importance of nurturing digital industry talents through specialized high schools such as specialized vocational high schools and Meister high schools.

In the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism briefing, he said, "The content industry enhances the image of the Republic of Korea in all other industries such as infrastructure and defense," and added, "The content industry will be the most important sector in strengthening our capabilities and boosting export momentum." He further stated, "In the process of developing K-content, local content and local brands must be continuously fostered in the provinces," and urged, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism should take great interest in activating local brands that can revitalize the local economy and lead balanced development."