Kim Jin-kyung: "The National Education Commission Must Bring Unresolved Education Issues Into Public Discussion" [University Transformation] ⑨

Interview with Former National Education Council Chairman Kim Jin-kyung
"Our Education System Is as Tangled as a Minefield
Building Social Consensus Must Come First for Solutions"

"The National Education Council must begin by bringing education issues, which have become as tangled as a minefield, into public discussion."

Kim Jin-kyung, former chairman of the National Education Council, made this statement during a recent interview with Asia Economy at an office in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. The National Education Council was a presidential advisory body established to prepare for the creation of the National Education Commission, and it was naturally dissolved once the commission was established. From 2018 until the end of his term, Kim served as chairman of the National Education Council, playing a key role in its formation.

Kim Jin-kyung, former chairman of the National Education Council, is giving an interview to Asia Economy. 2025.09.10 Photo by Yoon Dongju

The original vision for the National Education Commission, as conceived by the National Education Council, was to establish mid- to long-term national education development plans, such as those spanning 10 years, and to collect public opinion in the process of making major education policy decisions, thereby shaping the framework for future education. The commission was created to prevent the negative effects of education systems changing with each new administration. However, since its launch in September 2022, the commission has struggled even to form its membership, let alone discuss mid- to long-term national education development plans. Most recently, allegations of improper solicitation involving the chairperson have surfaced, leading to criticism that the commission has effectively lost its function.

After President Lee Jaemyung identified the commission as the main agent of education reform during his 100th-day press conference, the National Education Commission has come under renewed attention. We asked former chairman Kim about the direction the next commission should take. The following is a Q&A with Kim.

-How have you viewed the activities of the commission since its launch?

△There were concerns that expecting consensus on education alone, in a politically polarized environment, was an illusion. Many said it was extremely unrealistic, and this seems to have been proven true. I believe it is time to reflect on the fundamentals. The Korean education system and policies have continued to adopt the American model, but we are now in a changed world where Western models can no longer be applied. The American model was built in a completely different context from ours, yet we kept trying to apply it, which has led to a tangled system, making it very difficult to resolve education issues now.

-Can you give a specific example?

△The high school credit system was borrowed from the American education system. In the United States, education starts at the county school level. County residents form a board, which has full authority to appoint principals. Principals are accountable to the board, made up of residents, and to the county council. Because individual schools have authority over personnel, they also have real control over the curriculum, making the high school credit system possible. In Korea, however, everything is decided centrally. Even principals of rural schools are appointed by the president. The state also decides teacher training, so suddenly introducing a high school credit system does not fit our structure.

Kim Jin-kyung, former chairman of the National Education Council, is giving an interview to Asia Economy. 2025.09.10 Photo by Yoon Dongju

-In the end, isn't the public the one who suffers?

△Fundamentally, the very concept of school has become distorted, resulting in irresolvable conflicts. For example, during the industrialization era of the 1970s and 1980s, schools were state-run "knowledge marts." At that time, the state held the most information and operated these knowledge marts directly. However, in the digital era, the distribution of knowledge and information has become free and open. There are now diverse and flashy private education marts. State-run knowledge marts no longer satisfy parents, leading to an expansion of private education. Yet, education officials still hold onto outdated notions. The image of schools that parents have today is completely different from that of education officials, making the situation even more difficult.

-What is the most urgent role the commission should play?

△For now, the commission must start by facilitating public discussion to seek broad social consensus on the tangled issues at hand. There are already numerous topics that need to be brought to public discussion. Education issues, fraught with dissatisfaction and conflict, have become like a minefield. If left unaddressed, they will eventually erupt. The commission must take on the role of bringing these issues into public discussion. Because the commission is responsible for many policies that are mired in political deadlock, it must fulfill its role so that the public can recognize the need for a body to facilitate debate on education.

-Can the commission also resolve university-related issues?

△Korean universities were originally modeled after the German system, where only elites attended university. In the 1980s, the American mass university system was introduced, resulting in two conflicting models. Now that university education has become widespread in Korea, we should address university issues from the perspective of mass education. However, discussions are still framed in terms of academic elites and ivory towers, which has made the situation extremely complicated. With various groups having conflicting interests, the education authorities can no longer resolve the issues unilaterally. These are the kinds of issues the commission should discuss. If the commission sets the right direction, it can play a very important role.

About Former Chairman Kim Jin-kyung...

▲Born in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province (1953) ▲Graduated from Daejeon High School ▲Bachelor's in Korean Language Education, Seoul National University ▲Master's in Korean Language and Literature, Seoul National University Graduate School ▲Former teacher at Hanseong, Wooshin, and Yangjeong High Schools ▲First Policy Director of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union ▲Education and Culture Secretary, Presidential Office under the Roh Moo-hyun administration ▲Visiting Professor, Suzhou University, China ▲Director of Planning, National Education Council ▲Chairman of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th National Education Council