A new policy think tank, consisting of 180 members, has officially launched to outline the next four years of Jeong Geun-sik's administration in Seoul's education sector. Jeong, the Superintendent of Seoul, described the committee as an 'open governance' body that will gather voices from the field and the community, marking the beginning of a significant overhaul of his campaign promises.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education held the inaugural meeting of the second Jeong Geun-sik Campaign Promise Committee, titled 'Learning is Happiness Seoul Education Committee,' on June 17 at 1:30 p.m. in the conference room of the new office in Yongsan-gu. This committee will focus on developing a concrete vision for Seoul's education.
The committee has two main tasks: establishing the direction for Seoul's education and translating Superintendent Jeong's promises into actionable policy plans. It will operate intensively for 44 days, concluding on July 30.
Kim Jae-hyung, a former Supreme Court Justice and current professor at Seoul National University's Law School, has been appointed as the chair of the committee, while Ham Young-ki, the former head of the Education Policy Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, will serve as vice-chair. The organization is structured with a steering committee (12 members), an advisory committee (19 members), specialized committees (21 divisions), and special committees (3), totaling 180 members.
The 21 specialized committees will focus on implementing Jeong's five key promises. Major tasks include completing constitutionally guaranteed free education, restoring mental health and educational communities, effectively utilizing artificial intelligence, strengthening learning safety nets, and establishing a 'Reading Seoul' ecosystem that connects schools, neighborhoods, and the city.
After attending a session at the Seoul City Council, Superintendent Jeong emphasized the importance of the committee's 'openness' and 'communication with the field' in his remarks. He stated, "I hope that not only the committee's composition is open, but also that the voices of citizens and everyone who hopes for the advancement of education in our country are fully reflected in the committee."
He further noted, "This committee is not led by a single superintendent; it is a starting point for establishing 'joint planning, joint implementation, and joint evaluation' through sufficient discussion. I urge you to work hard to ensure that the proposed tasks lead to substantial changes in Seoul's education rather than showcasing individual capabilities."
Recently elected as the 11th president of the National Association of Education Superintendents of Korea, Jeong expressed his hope that the Seoul committee will operate most effectively among the committees launched in 16 cities and provinces across the country.
Kim Jae-hyung, the newly appointed chair, articulated an educational philosophy grounded in constitutional principles. He referenced Article 31 of the South Korean Constitution, stating, "Education, like housing, healthcare, and care, is not a matter of charity but a matter of rights, and basic education must be prioritized among those rights."
He added, "To fulfill the public education mandate, including guaranteeing basic academic skills regardless of one's family background, I will approach each promise from the perspective of whether the rights of students, parents, and teachers are genuinely realized, committing to thorough verification of the promises in accordance with constitutional mandates."
Moving forward, the committee will enhance the quality of its promise implementation plans through focused deliberations and discussions in each division. The final results of their activities will be compiled into a white paper and transparently disclosed to the public within 30 days after the committee's conclusion.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education held the inaugural meeting of the second Jeong Geun-sik Campaign Promise Committee, titled 'Learning is Happiness Seoul Education Committee,' on June 17 at 1:30 p.m. in the conference room of the new office in Yongsan-gu. This committee will focus on developing a concrete vision for Seoul's education.
The committee has two main tasks: establishing the direction for Seoul's education and translating Superintendent Jeong's promises into actionable policy plans. It will operate intensively for 44 days, concluding on July 30.
Kim Jae-hyung, a former Supreme Court Justice and current professor at Seoul National University's Law School, has been appointed as the chair of the committee, while Ham Young-ki, the former head of the Education Policy Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, will serve as vice-chair. The organization is structured with a steering committee (12 members), an advisory committee (19 members), specialized committees (21 divisions), and special committees (3), totaling 180 members.
The 21 specialized committees will focus on implementing Jeong's five key promises. Major tasks include completing constitutionally guaranteed free education, restoring mental health and educational communities, effectively utilizing artificial intelligence, strengthening learning safety nets, and establishing a 'Reading Seoul' ecosystem that connects schools, neighborhoods, and the city.
After attending a session at the Seoul City Council, Superintendent Jeong emphasized the importance of the committee's 'openness' and 'communication with the field' in his remarks. He stated, "I hope that not only the committee's composition is open, but also that the voices of citizens and everyone who hopes for the advancement of education in our country are fully reflected in the committee."
He further noted, "This committee is not led by a single superintendent; it is a starting point for establishing 'joint planning, joint implementation, and joint evaluation' through sufficient discussion. I urge you to work hard to ensure that the proposed tasks lead to substantial changes in Seoul's education rather than showcasing individual capabilities."
Recently elected as the 11th president of the National Association of Education Superintendents of Korea, Jeong expressed his hope that the Seoul committee will operate most effectively among the committees launched in 16 cities and provinces across the country.
Kim Jae-hyung, the newly appointed chair, articulated an educational philosophy grounded in constitutional principles. He referenced Article 31 of the South Korean Constitution, stating, "Education, like housing, healthcare, and care, is not a matter of charity but a matter of rights, and basic education must be prioritized among those rights."
He added, "To fulfill the public education mandate, including guaranteeing basic academic skills regardless of one's family background, I will approach each promise from the perspective of whether the rights of students, parents, and teachers are genuinely realized, committing to thorough verification of the promises in accordance with constitutional mandates."
Moving forward, the committee will enhance the quality of its promise implementation plans through focused deliberations and discussions in each division. The final results of their activities will be compiled into a white paper and transparently disclosed to the public within 30 days after the committee's conclusion.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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