"Creating a Dongdaemun Where Private Education Is Unnecessary"... Mayor Lee Pilhyung’s Genuine Commitment to Education

Interview with Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun District
"Educational Budget Doubled from 8 Billion to 17 Billion Won"
"Number One in Seoul for Per-Student Support"

"When I said that the local government would take the lead in normalizing public education, everyone opposed the idea. They said it would make no visible difference. But the results are now clear."

Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun District in Seoul (pictured), confidently spoke about the achievements of the education policies he has pursued over the past three years in a recent interview. He emphasized, "The innovation and revolution in public education began here in Dongdaemun District," adding, "My goal is to create a Dongdaemun where students do not have to rely on private education."

Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun District Office, explained the achievements of the education policies he has promoted over the past three years. Provided by Dongdaemun District Office.

The mayor's confidence is backed by numbers. The educational expense subsidy in Dongdaemun District more than doubled from 8 billion won in 2022 to 17 billion won this year. The amount increased significantly every year, reaching 10 billion won in 2023 and 15.5 billion won last year. The total education budget now amounts to 24.5 billion won.

Mayor Lee explained, "Gangnam District has the highest total amount at around 19 billion won, but Gangnam has as many as 111 schools. In terms of support per student, Dongdaemun is number one in Seoul." He pointed out that while Dongdaemun District lagged behind Jungnang District during the previous administration, it has now risen to the top in just three years.

He noted, "Dongdaemun District has long been an educational blind spot. I worked tirelessly for a year to attract private academies, but they refused to come, saying it was not profitable." He continued, "That is why I decided to expand the educational budget, to normalize public education and show that we are different."

Visiting 46 Schools... "Found the Answers on the Ground"

Mayor Lee has personally visited all 46 schools in Dongdaemun District, meeting with principals, teachers, and parents. Through these ongoing meetings over the past three years, the "Dongdaemun-Style Public Education Normalization Plan" was developed. He explained, "By listening to teachers' opinions, we decided on the direction we should take."

The core strategy is school specialization. Mayor Lee said, "We are promoting specialization projects for each school, such as schools excelling in science, Korean language, or mathematics. We have also introduced a teacher incentive system, providing support for excellent programs after a review process."

He stressed, "School issues are not just minor inconveniences-they shape the daily lives of our children. I take seriously the fact that one out of every three male students commutes to schools in other districts." However, he admitted, "Establishing a new general high school is not as easy as it sounds," acknowledging the practical challenges involved.

Mayor Lee shared, "Daekwang High School has converted from an autonomous private high school to a general high school, and Huigyeong Girls' High School has announced plans to become a boys' high school. We are also discussing with the Office of Education the idea of building a new Jeonnong Middle School and transforming it into an integrated school. Additionally, we are promoting future-oriented career education by developing Huigyeong Technical High School into a semiconductor-specialized school."

He added, "Given the overall decline in student numbers, simply building new schools cannot be the only solution. However, Dongdaemun District will continuously monitor population and student data-especially as redevelopment changes these numbers-in collaboration with the Office of Education. We will precisely analyze school districts and commuting zones to proactively present necessary timing and alternatives."

Specifically, he plans to establish a consultative body involving the district office, the Office of Education, schools, and residents, to organize feasible options such as securing sites, expansion or conversion, and school district adjustments into a roadmap.

Mayor Lee also announced, "Starting next year, we plan to provide paid ChatGPT subscriptions to all first-year middle school students using the district budget. If the pilot project is successful, we will expand it further."

Trends in Educational Expense Subsidy Budget of Dongdaemun District. Provided by Dongdaemun District.

3 Billion Won Secured for Suin-Bundang Line Double-Tracking Study... "A Breakthrough"

Mayor Lee's commitment to solving educational issues is rooted in his "field-oriented" administrative philosophy. Last year, he drew attention by consecutively resolving local challenges, such as relocating the Samchunri Briquette Factory-a long-standing issue for 56 years-and renovating the street vendors in Jegidong.

Regarding the double-tracking of the Suin-Bundang Line, Mayor Lee reported progress. "We have secured 300 million won for the feasibility study. If the National Assembly passes the measure allowing projects under 100 billion won to skip the preliminary feasibility study, we will be able to move forward," he said. He also praised the local residents leading the Suin-Bundang Line double-tracking initiative as "people who are changing history," giving them a thumbs-up.

On the issue of installing substations and ventilation shafts as part of the Metropolitan Express Railway (GTX) project, which has sparked controversy, he stated, "It makes no sense to build a substation just 18 meters from an apartment building. No matter how important a national project is, if something is unacceptable, it cannot be allowed."

Walking City and Morning City... Connecting Educational Infrastructure

Mayor Lee also plans to incorporate educational elements into the development of a "Walking City" centered around Cheongnyangni Station. The idea is to create a pedestrian axis connecting the university district in Hoegi-dong and the Seoul Metropolitan Dongdaemun Library in Jeonnong-dong, with Cheongnyangni Station at the center.

Next year, he will introduce the new concept of a "Morning City." Mayor Lee explained, "The policy will connect people from their teens to their nineties through culture. I want to create a city where mornings are pleasant and culture is abundant."

Mayor Lee's essay collection, "Words Change the World," published last October, has recently gone into its sixth printing. The phrase that left the deepest impression on him as mayor was being called "a mayor who listens well to residents." He said, "Words are not just declarations-they are promises, and promises must be proven through action. I want to remain a mayor who keeps his word and listens carefully to residents."

Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun District Office, said, "We have consecutively resolved local challenges such as the relocation of Samcheonri Briquette Factory, a long-cherished issue for 56 years, and the maintenance of street vendors in Jegidong." Provided by Dongdaemun District Office.