[Profile] Choi Gyojin, Sejong City Superintendent Nominated as Education Minister... Three-Term Progressive Figure

"I Will Listen with Humility and Gather Wisdom"

Choi Gyojin, the Superintendent of Education for Sejong City, who was nominated as the Minister of Education on the 13th, is a progressive education expert who has served three consecutive terms as the head of Sejong’s education system.

Since his first election in 2014, he has pursued policies that emphasize the unique characteristics of each student, such as standardizing high schools, establishing campus-style high schools, and introducing innovative school programs. He has consistently emphasized narrowing academic achievement gaps, strengthening student care, and alleviating educational inequality.

Choi Gyojin, nominated as the Minister of Education, is smiling as he enters the office of the Sejong City Office of Education on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

Although he previously served as the head and chief vice-chair of the Chungnam branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), he is regarded within the Office of Education as a rationalist with a gentle personality. He graduated from the Department of Korean Language Education at Gongju National University of Education and began his teaching career in 1981 at Daecheon Girls’ Middle School. In the mid-1980s, he was active in democratization movement organizations.

During the Roh Moo-hyun administration, he served as Executive Chair of the National Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, an advisory member of the Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development, and as an auditor for Korea Land and Housing Corporation.

In a statement released to the press corps that afternoon regarding his nomination as Minister of Education, Choi said, “It is the responsibility of education to help the next generation, who will lead our country, to grow up healthy,” and added, “Education must play a responsible role in every stage of a student’s development as a citizen.” He went on to emphasize, “Given the many current issues and diverse opinions in the education sector, I will listen with humility and work together with the educational community to gather wisdom.”

He also stated, “The sense of responsibility I feel outweighs the honor of serving in a new administration,” and added, “I will diligently prepare for the confirmation hearing, and I hope this process will be an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the present and future of our education.”

▲ Born in Boryeong, Chungnam (age 72) ▲ Kyungdong High School ▲ Department of Korean Language Education, Gongju National University of Education ▲ Teacher at Daecheon Girls’ Middle School ▲ Vice-Chair of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union ▲ Executive Chair of the National Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation ▲ Standing Chair of the Daejeon City Founding Preparatory Committee of the Uri Party ▲ Auditor at Korea Land and Housing Corporation ▲ Superintendent of Education for Sejong City