Inauguration Ceremony at Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on the 18th at 2 PM
"Realizing Seoul Education Based on the Normalization of Public Education"
Jeong Geun-sik, the newly elected Superintendent of Education in the 10·16 Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education by-election, stated, "We will continue the achievements of innovative education while boldly overcoming its limitations. We will realize Seoul education that is open to the world based on the normalization of public education."
On the afternoon of the 17th, at his inauguration ceremony, Superintendent Jeong said, "I believe that the past 10 years of innovative education was a process of normalizing public education by cleansing the deep-rooted evils of modern education over the past 100 years." Superintendent Jeong, who received his certificate of election from the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission at 9 a.m. that day, held the inauguration ceremony from 2 p.m. after paying respects at the National Cemetery.
In his inaugural address, Superintendent Jeong first expressed his gratitude, saying, "I will deeply engrave the sincere advice you have given for Seoul education in my heart and strive to establish good policies so that we can open the future of Seoul education."
He then revealed his commitment to supporting students with learning difficulties and borderline intelligence, which he has consistently emphasized. He said, "We will overcome educational polarization and realize education that prepares for the future. We will support students with complex problems to ensure basic academic skills for all students," adding, "We will build infrastructure to support students in connection with universities, local communities, and specialized institutions."
He also expressed his stance on the recently controversial 'history education.' Superintendent Jeong explained, "We will ensure history education based on facts so that regressive conflicts such as historical distortion and pro-Japanese education do not recur."
Furthermore, Superintendent Jeong emphasized, "We will protect students from increasingly sophisticated violence such as illegal deepfake composites," and added, "We will thoroughly conduct preventive education related to digital sex crimes, school violence, and infringement of teachers' rights." He also stated, "In cases where incidents occur, we will ensure delicate handling and follow-up management through fair procedures."
Efforts to resolve conflicts between teachers and educational officials were also evident. Superintendent Jeong said, "We will work to resolve conflicts within the educational community and overcome mental health crises," and added, "We will improve organizational culture and turn conflicts into opportunities for new development in Seoul education through legal and institutional efforts to resolve conflicts."
Regarding concerns about a reduction in the education budget, he said, "(Education is) an investment for the future," and added, "We will protect local education finances to ensure that high-quality school education can continue through stable budget securing."
Superintendent Jeong was elected by defeating conservative candidate Jo Jeon-hyeok, who received 45.93% of the vote, by a margin of 4.31 percentage points with a final vote share of 50.24% in the by-election held the previous day. The third-place candidate, Yoon Ho-sang, received 3.81% of the vote.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
