Min Hyungbae: "Reestablishment of Gwangsan Education Office and Support for Journalists Covering Disasters"

Amendments to the Educational Autonomy Act and Mental Health and Welfare Act Pass the National Assembly
"Institutionalizing Voices from the Field, Pursuing Politics That Changes Citizens' Lives"

Min Hyungbae, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

As a result of the passage of the amendments to the 'Educational Autonomy Act' and the 'Mental Health and Welfare Act,' both sponsored by Min Hyungbae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Gwangsan-eul in Gwangju, at the National Assembly plenary session on October 26, positive changes are expected for the local educational environment and the welfare of journalists covering disasters.

The amendment to the 'Educational Autonomy Act' establishes an institutional basis for metropolitan and provincial superintendents of education to install, abolish, merge, or separate education support offices by gathering opinions from local councils, residents, and parents. This is evaluated as enabling the provision of field-oriented educational administrative services tailored to local characteristics. In particular, in the case of Gwangju, it is expected to serve as a starting point for resolving a long-standing wish in the education sector, as it lays the institutional foundation for the revival of the 'Gwangsan Education Support Office,' which had previously been merged into the Western Education Support Office.

The main point of the amendment to the 'Mental Health and Welfare Act' is to include journalists who have suffered psychological harm during news coverage in disaster and accident situations as recipients of psychological support from the National Trauma Center. This aims to fill the gap in protection for journalists who experienced psychological difficulties at major disaster sites, such as the Jeju Air passenger plane accident in December last year, the Sewol ferry disaster, and the Itaewon tragedy, and to strengthen the mental health safety net for field reporters.

On October 27, Min Hyungbae stated, "I found answers to both education and welfare in the field. True educational autonomy has been strengthened, and the nation can now protect the sense of mission of journalists," adding, "I will continue to institutionalize the voices from the field and pursue politics that changes the lives of citizens."

Regarding the amendment to the Educational Autonomy Act, Min Hyungbae emphasized, "I am pleased that a long-standing issue, which persisted for over 10 years during my time as Gwangsan District Mayor and as a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee, has finally been resolved. This will serve as a starting point for properly guaranteeing the 'right to equal education' stipulated in Article 31 of the Constitution."