Superintendent Park Jonghun: "More Affection and Interest Needed for Gyeongnam Education"

"In six months, I will step down as superintendent, leaving the evaluation of my 12 years to history. I ask for your continued interest and affection for education in Gyeongnam."

Park Jonghun, Superintendent of the Gyeongnam Office of Education, made these remarks during his congratulatory speech at the 2026 Gyeongnam Province New Year's Meeting held at the Changwon Convention Center (CECO) Convention Hall on January 5.

Superintendent Park, who is serving his final term, shared his reflections, stating, "This is my last New Year's meeting as superintendent."

He said, "Looking back, when I was elected superintendent in 2014 as an ordinary teacher, it was the result of deep concerns and strong demands from parents to change education. I do not think it was a failure in the past, but rather that it was a desperate moment in need of change."

Gyeongnam Superintendent of Education Jonghun Park is delivering a congratulatory speech sharing his reflections at the 2026 Gyeongnam Province New Year's Meeting. Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

Superintendent Park stated, "If up until now, our education has focused on test scores, the people of Gyeongnam have already realized that it is now more important to develop so-called social competencies-such as viewing problems critically as members of society and solving them through collaboration."

He added, "Although we are educating children for the present, parents have always understood that the world our children will live in is 30 or 50 years in the future."

He went on to say, "During my 12 years as superintendent, I introduced cooperation between villages and schools and emphasized future-oriented education because these were the demands of the times."

Superintendent Park remarked, "Education cannot move faster than the changes in the world, but I believe education must not fall behind rapid changes, and at times, it should be able to lead them. Children grow up with love. I hope for your continued interest and affection for education in Gyeongnam."

He also said, "As we anticipate significant changes this year, I pray that the leadership of Gyeongnam's political, administrative, economic, and social leaders gathered here today will gain even greater support from the people."