Regarding Drunk Driving and Controversial Remarks
"I Will Do My Best to Turn Concerns into Expectations"
Choi Gyojin, the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, stated on the 12th, "My top priority will be to create an environment where teachers can focus on teaching and learning, and on saving the lives of children."
Minister Choi, who was appointed the previous day, made these remarks when asked by reporters, "What is the first policy you will review as Minister of Education?" after paying respects at the Daejeon National Cemetery and arriving for his first day at the Sejong Ministry of Education building on the morning of September 12.
Minister Choi said, "I believe that teachers teaching and students learning are the most important aspects of education," adding, "Teachers are the ones who are closest to helping children, who will be responsible for the next generation, grow up healthy, safe, and happy, but they are very exhausted."
He continued, "Improving teachers' working conditions and other measures to support this will be an urgent priority so that all children can grow up dreaming of a world where they live together in health and happiness."
As the most pressing issues in education to address as minister, Choi cited the successful implementation of the high school credit system, which has been fully introduced for first-year high school students this year; protecting students' mental health; and the balanced development of regional universities, as represented by President Lee Jaemyung's flagship education pledge to 'create 10 Seoul National Universities.'
He promised, "I will work diligently and sincerely by actively cooperating and discussing with the newly launched National Education Commission, as well as listening to the voices of the University Presidents' Council, the Council of Superintendents, and many people in the field."
Regarding concerns about his appointment due to past incidents such as drunk driving and controversial remarks on social media, Minister Choi said, "The confirmation hearing process itself was a very valuable opportunity to reflect on the life I have lived so far. I have deeply reflected and felt a lot of pain." He added, "I will do my utmost so that these concerns can turn into expectations."
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