'10 Years Accompanying 707 Students' Park Jujeong, Principal of Jinnam Middle School, Retires

Park Joo-jung, author of 'Teacher Park Joo-jung and 707 Children,' and principal of Jinnam Middle School in Gwangju, is retiring after 32 years of dedicated service in education.

Principal Park Joo-jeong of Gwangju Jinnam Middle School is delivering a retirement speech at the retirement ceremony held on the afternoon of the 21st in the auditorium of Jinnam Middle School, Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.
[Photo by Park Jin-hyung]

Principal Park was born in 1962 in Goheung-gun, Jeonnam. He graduated from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Chonnam National University and earned his master's and doctoral degrees from the same university's graduate school. He began his career in education in 1992 as a teacher at Geumpa Technical High School and later served as vice principal of Geumdang Middle School and principal of Jeonnam Technical High School.

As a young novice teacher, he took students who struggled to adapt to school life into his own apartment, about 33 square meters, sharing daily life with them and guiding them with affection and dedication onto the right path. Witnessing the remarkable changes in these so-called 'problem students' after starting this special cohabitation made him deeply realize the true role of a teacher.

Believing that "with respect and attention, anyone can change," he used his own funds to create a 132-square-meter 'community learning center.' Approximately 707 children passed through this center over about 10 years.

He has been recognized as a true educator who has taught students with love and dedication, having received the Presidential Award three times and being inducted into the 'Hall of Proud Public Servants' by the Ministry of Personnel Management.

Principal Park's retirement ceremony was held on the afternoon of the 21st at the auditorium of Jinnam Middle School in Nam-gu, Gwangju, with about 700 attendees. Lee Jeong-seon, Superintendent of Education of Gwangju Metropolitan City, and various other dignitaries praised Principal Park's contributions and expressed their gratitude.