Kim Seokjun, Busan Superintendent Candidate: "Implementing Customized Education for Both Academic Achievement and Mental Well-Being"

From Strengthening Literacy and Basic Academic Skills
to Expanding Social and Emotional Education

Kim Seokjun, a preliminary candidate for Superintendent of Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education, has announced his third education pledge, which focuses on the integrated support of academic achievement and mental health for Busan students.

On the 12th, Kim released his education pledge through a press release without holding a separate press conference, unveiling a policy centered on “holistic growth” and strengthening students’ capacity to respond to future society. He stated, “We will go beyond simply delivering knowledge to fostering the ability to learn independently, and lead holistic growth so that students can actively adapt to future changes.”

Firstly, he set the goal of “customized academic achievement enhancement, encompassing both foundational and advanced skills.” To achieve this, he plans to: ▲ provide responsible support for literacy and develop/distribute grade-specific learning materials ▲ closely manage basic academic skills using the National Basic Academic Achievement Support Portal ▲ strengthen academic programs for students transitioning from grade six in elementary to grade three in middle school ▲ enhance self-directed learning in middle schools ▲ operate customized mathematics and science programs in high schools.

In particular, following the launch of literacy and numeracy diagnostic assessments last year in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Kim plans to develop and distribute materials to improve literacy, enabling students to understand key vocabulary and concepts in their subjects and strengthen information interpretation skills. He also intends to expand customized programs for students who require advanced learning, in addition to support for basic academic skills.

Kim also identified support for students’ emotional and psychological well-being as a core task. To this end, he plans to: ▲ support student mental health by strengthening social and emotional education ▲ provide early identification and intensive support for students in crisis ▲ expand after-school program support ▲ implement policies to reinforce community-based care such as “Our Neighborhood Jarimteo.”

He emphasized, “In the past, children learned emotional regulation and relationship-building through playing in the neighborhood and community culture. However, those spaces have decreased. We will therefore expand social and emotional education so that students can understand and regulate their own emotions.”

He also introduced measures to strengthen career and academic guidance support. Key initiatives include: ▲ establishing a dedicated career education team and expanding academic counseling ▲ building an AI-based employment support system for specialized high schools ▲ establishing a Future Vocational Education Center ▲ and hosting regional high school credit system fairs.

Kim stated, “We will establish a professional career education system so that students’ dreams do not remain mere slogans,” adding, “Through AI-based employment support and experiential education in future new industries, we will help students adapt to the evolving job environment.”

He continued, “Academic achievement and mental health are like the two wheels of a cart—neither can be neglected. I will take full responsibility so that each student can grow at their own pace and plan their future with a strong mind.”

Superintendent Kim Seokjun is visiting the Citizen Library during his tenure.

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