Park Jong-hoon, Gyeongnam Superintendent of Education, "Current Government Throws Public Recruitment Without Consulting Superintendents"

Park Jong-hoon, Superintendent of Education for Gyeongnam Province, voiced criticism of the current government's education policy at a New Year's press conference held on the 11th.

Superintendent Park stated, "Local education autonomy is guaranteed by law," and added, "Until the previous Moon Jae-in administration, I believe the central government made considerable efforts not to undermine that spirit, but under the current government, local education autonomy is being severely damaged."

He pointed out, "The Ministry of Education is recklessly launching public contests and engaging in actions that deviate from the principles of local education autonomy," citing the Education Development Special Zone project currently being solicited by the Ministry as a representative example.

Park Jong-hoon, Superintendent of Gyeongnam Office of Education, is answering reporters' questions at the 2024 New Year's press conference.
[Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]

The Education Development Special Zone is a system in which local governments, education offices, universities, regional businesses, and public institutions collaborate to establish a framework that supports education innovation, talent cultivation, and settlement tailored to regional characteristics. It is one of the government's core policies for balanced regional development.

Superintendent Park explained, "In Gyeongnam, we are already collaborating with the Ministry of Education to operate vocational education innovation district projects focused on the aviation industry in Jinju, Sacheon, and Goseong, and the medical and life sciences industry in Gimhae. Additionally, three special zones are being operated in Changwon. If the Education Development Special Zone is added on top of this and a public contest is held for a concept somewhat different from the existing one, there is a risk that the concept will become confused and the process destabilized."

He expressed discomfort, saying, "There are several other cases as well."

He continued, "There is an elected local education official called the superintendent of education, but if the Ministry of Education launches public contests without any consultation with the superintendents, what are they trying to do?" and added, "We are preparing to strongly express our opinions on this issue at the next superintendents' council meeting."