Candidate Lee Jeong-seon for Gwangju Superintendent of Education Meets Archbishop Kim Hee-jung to Discuss Educational Issues

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[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jin-Hyung Park] Lee Jeong-seon, a preliminary candidate for Gwangju Superintendent of Education, paid a courtesy visit to Archbishop Kim Hee-jung of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju to seek his insights on various education policies.

On the 18th, the candidate visited the Catholic Archdiocese Office in Seo-gu and had an in-depth discussion with Archbishop Kim for about an hour on various Gwangju education issues such as alternative schools, elementary teacher training, multicultural education, youth international exchange, and private school management.

Bishop Ok Hyun-jin of the Gwangju Archdiocese also attended the meeting.

Archbishop Kim emphasized, “The beginning of all education depends on how well excellent teachers are nurtured,” adding, “Elementary education is very important.”

He continued, “Our society should pay attention to alternative schools, and the Gwangju Superintendent of Education must take responsibility for students and parents residing in Gwangju, including multicultural children, North Korean defectors, and Koryo-saram (ethnic Koreans from the former Soviet Union).”

Regarding private school management, he stated, “Since private schools have founding ideals and purposes, their autonomy should be respected,” and added, “I hope there will be a certain degree of autonomy in curriculum operation and personnel matters such as religious teachers.”

Archbishop Kim also expressed the need for an ‘International Youth Exchange Center’ to promote international education for students in the Gwangju area and showed willingness to donate land owned by the Gwangju Archdiocese if a new center is built.

Candidate Lee explained plans including the establishment of alternative schools recognizing elementary, middle, and high school credits, strengthening the public nature and autonomy of private schools, revitalizing youth international exchange, and diverse multicultural education, stating, “I will implement balanced education that guarantees responsible education that does not give up on any child, centered on innovative inclusive education focused on people, while ensuring the founding ideals and autonomy of private schools and strengthening their public nature.”

Specifically, the candidate proposed pledges such as ▲‘Establishment of public alternative schools by school level’ for students and parents hoping for new education ▲Operation of a ‘Daga-chi Education Center’ to support multicultural students ▲Operation of a ‘Student Global Leader World Tour Program’ to activate youth international education ▲Strengthening the public nature and autonomy of private schools.

Candidate Lee shared his impression, saying, “Archbishop Kim has a deep understanding of various education issues and presented profound and practical solutions, from which I, as an education expert, learned a great deal to the point of being pleasantly surprised.”

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