[Interview] Jo Jeon-hyeok "History Textbooks Must Avoid Ideological Debates... Lee Seung-man Is Not a Dictator"

①Interview with Jo Jeon-hyeok, Candidate for Seoul Superintendent of Education
"If we fail to unify again, we are traitors"
"Precisely evaluate and disclose academic levels"
"Student rights ordinance may infringe on educational rights"
"Educational content should be socially agreed upon"

Editor's NoteThe by-election to elect a new head of Seoul education for the first time in 10 years will be held on the 16th of next month. In a short preparation period of less than two months, more than ten candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, and the unification committees of the progressive and conservative camps have each quickly selected a single candidate. Asia Economy met with the representative candidates from both unified camps to hear about the direction and key pledges for Seoul education.

"I will remove the weeds grown under the Cho Hee-yeon superintendent system and sow new seeds."

Cho Jeon-hyeok, candidate for Seoul Superintendent of Education, said this to Asia Economy on the 30th at his election camp in Jongno-gu, Seoul, promising to "correct immoral and wrong policies." From his declaration of candidacy, he emphasized that Seoul education is facing an 'emergency' and that "schools polluted by ideology must be thoroughly cleansed."

Cho Jeon-hyeok, candidate for Seoul Superintendent of Education, is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 30th at his election campaign office located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Cho Jeon-hyeok Camp]

Having previously challenged the 2022 Seoul Superintendent of Education election, candidate Cho is making a comeback under the title of a 'prepared candidate.' He served as a member of the Education Committee for four years during the 18th National Assembly and founded the Liberal Education Movement Federation, a New Right-affiliated organization, in 2005, emphasizing his expertise as an 'education provider.' In particular, the conservative camp, having handed over the key to victory to the progressives over the past decade, is now revitalized by quickly achieving candidate unification this time.

-What was the reason you were able to achieve conservative unification for the first time in 12 years?

▲The pressure from the right-wing civil society was strong. There was an atmosphere that if unification failed again, it would be considered 'treason.' The night before the unification announcement, the crisis peaked, and I received contacts from primary election candidates saying they would come to the unification announcement venue.

-Why do you think Seoul education has collapsed?

▲Cho Hee-yeon's education office implemented destructive policies for education. There are two representative policies of South Korea's 'pro-JeonGyojo (National Teachers' Union)' leftist superintendents. One is Innovation Schools, and the other is the Student Human Rights Ordinance. The current Innovation Schools have been stigmatized as schools where students do not study and teachers teach unnecessary things. They have become a failed school model that is not welcomed by parents or the local community.

The Student Human Rights Ordinance includes only students' rights and completely excludes duties or responsibilities. Even if a student makes noise during class and disrupts the atmosphere, discipline cannot be enforced. When classes are destroyed, students' 'right to education' is infringed. If I become superintendent, I will create a 'Student Rights and Duties Ordinance' suitable for Seoul education.

Cho Jeon-hyeok, candidate for Seoul Superintendent of Education, is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 30th at his election campaign office in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Cho Jeon-hyeok Camp]

-You said you would reinstate exams to improve academic achievement.

▲The leftists demonize exams unconditionally. Children from wealthy families can attend private academies and receive skill assessments by paying money, but it becomes difficult to assess the abilities of children from economically disadvantaged families. By disclosing individual student scores and school scores annually, the overall ranking can be understood. Competitiveness comes from competition. During my term, I will precisely measure the academic level of Seoul's children and design customized plans for each student.

-At the time of your candidacy declaration, you pointed out that nuclear phase-out education, gender ideology, and homosexuality codes are not being filtered in schools.

▲Children's minds are like blank slates. The pictures in their minds are drawn as teachers depict them, and I believe that faulty pictures should not be drawn. At least, educational content that can cross school fences should be socially agreed upon and conservatively agreed upon in our society. We have an obligation to prevent unverified logical or theoretical ideas from infiltrating schools.

-Do you have the same opinion about the recently controversial history textbooks?

▲I think all parts with ideological disputes between left and right should be removed. For example, everyone calls former President Syngman Rhee a dictator. But when evaluating a person, shouldn't we look through the lens of that time? President Rhee did not violate procedural democracy even during the war. He resigned voluntarily and was not corrupt. He went to Hawaii and was so poor he could not properly access medical care. This is my personal opinion, but I don't think textbooks should be written that way. I believe that unfinished modern history parts should be left as materials for consideration.

-Why should Cho Jeon-hyeok become Seoul Superintendent of Education?

▲It will be Seoul citizens who judge who can implement education policies that satisfy Seoul citizens, parents, and students. I believe my expertise as an education provider will be perceived as more attractive.

About Candidate Cho Jeon-hyeok,

Born in 1960 in Gwangju Metropolitan City, candidate Cho holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Korea University and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Wisconsin. He later served as a professor in the Department of Economics at Incheon National University, executive director of the Liberal Education Movement Federation, advisor to the Presidential Transition Committee under the Lee Myung-bak administration, and was elected as a member of the 18th National Assembly. He previously ran as the conservative candidate for Seoul Superintendent of Education in the 8th nationwide simultaneous local elections in 2022.