Yoo Eun-hye "Will Take Full Responsibility as Minister of Education"... Officially Declares Non-Candidacy in Local Elections

"Doing Our Best to Protect Children's Safety and Schools in a Serious Situation"
"As a Moon Jae-in Government Cabinet Member, I Will Fulfill My Final Duty with the President"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye has officially announced her intention not to run in the June 1 local election for Gyeonggi Province governor.

After concluding a briefing on "Additional Support Measures for School Quarantine in the New Semester in Response to Omicron" held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 16th, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo addressed recent speculation about her future, saying, "Recently, I have been reflecting deeply on the position and role I should fulfill, and what mission has been entrusted to me." She added, "I will take full responsibility as Minister of Education to ensure the complete restoration of our children's normal school life."

She continued, "As Minister of Education, I have determined that my mission is to do my utmost to protect the safety of our children and schools in this serious situation," adding, "As a member of the Moon Jae-in administration's cabinet, I will fulfill my duties alongside the President until the very end."

She also stated that she will devote all efforts amid the spread of Omicron. Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, "Education must not be interrupted under any crisis, nor should our children lose their precious school days," emphasizing, "Facing the severe situation of Omicron just before the new semester of 2022, which we have been preparing for with the goal of fully restoring normal school life, our schools must remain open even in these difficult times. This will only be possible through our full commitment and response."

Earlier, some speculated that Yoo, who had shown strong intentions to run and considering the resignation deadline for public officials 90 days before the election on March 3, might step down from her deputy prime minister position between March 6 and 13. However, with Yoo officially declaring her intention not to run on this day, it is expected that the current cabinet composition will remain unchanged until the presidential election in March.

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