Education Superintendent Lee Jae-jung "Considering Running for Superintendent Next Year... Please Temporarily Pause Children's Academy Classes"

Gyeonggi Provincial Superintendent of Education Lee Jae-jung is holding an online press conference on the 21st.

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-jung, Superintendent of Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, has asked parents to temporarily stop sending their children to multi-use facilities such as private academies. He also stated that he is deeply considering whether to run for the superintendent position next year.

At a non-face-to-face online press conference held on the 21st to mark the 3rd anniversary of the 4th elected term, Superintendent Lee said, "Recently, the number of student COVID-19 cases originating from private academies has rapidly increased," and urged, "Parents, please temporarily stop sending your children to private academies and other multi-use facilities."

He continued, "There have been quite a few cases of student infections at Taekwondo centers, tutoring academies, and music academies, and among confirmed staff cases, some were infected after attending private gatherings."

He added, "I ask staff members to refrain from attending churches, weddings, and funerals, and to avoid private gatherings as much as possible."

As of midnight on that day, there were 52 new confirmed cases among students and staff in the province. Of the 49 student cases, 13 (26.5%) were found to have been infected at private academies.

The previous day, 10 out of 43 new student cases (23.2%) were also traced back to private academies.

Until now, most student infections occurred through family transmission, but recently, cases originating from private academies have been appearing consecutively.

Superintendent Lee said, "Since the 13th, teachers and private academy workers have been receiving vaccinations together. Everyone must unite to achieve herd immunity as soon as possible," and earnestly requested, "I sincerely ask that this be observed at least during the upcoming 4th level of social distancing."

Regarding the quarantine plan for the second semester opening, he stated, "We will ensure that all teachers, including those confirmed for appointment next year, receive vaccinations by the end of August," and added, "Only those who test negative on a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test three days before school opening will be allowed to attend school or go to work."

However, he said, "Discussions are ongoing about having all students undergo PCR testing," and promised, "We will create an atmosphere before school starts so that parents and students do not worry."

Regarding the upcoming superintendent election scheduled for June next year, he responded, "Rather than thinking about the election now, I will focus on the unfinished tasks during the past eight years of my term and fulfill my responsibilities," and added, "After that, I will deeply consider whether to run."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.