Jeong Geun-sik, who has been re-elected as the 24th Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, held his inauguration ceremony on July 1, marking the official start of his second term. He declared a commitment to restore a community of reconciliation and integration in Seoul's education system, guided by the slogan, "Deep basics, broad cooperation, and close happiness."
The official schedule began at 9:20 a.m. with a visit to the National Cemetery in Dongjak District. At 10:40 a.m., he held a simple inauguration ceremony at the Seoul Education Office auditorium, attended by over 700 staff members and key figures.
In his inaugural address, Jeong reflected on his initial appointment as superintendent 20 months ago, stating, "When I first took office through a by-election, it was a time of mission to set the direction for Seoul education. The next four years, entrusted to me again by the citizens, will be a time of responsibility to fulfill that promise."
He emphasized the first direction for Seoul education over the next four years as "deeply establishing the basics." Jeong pledged to expand the concept of compulsory education to ensure equal educational opportunities from early childhood, eliminating disparities in foundational learning and paying closer attention to students' mental health.
He also stressed that even in the AI era, education must remain centered on people, advocating for a humane education that fosters critical thinking, empathy, and collaboration.
The second core value he identified was "broadly expanding cooperation." He proposed an educational administration based on "joint planning, joint practice, and joint evaluation" to ensure that on-the-ground experiences inform policy.
Jeong expressed respect for parents as vital partners in education, promising to enhance communication and work closely with the Seoul city government, the Seoul City Council, and local districts to create an educational ecosystem that seamlessly connects education, care, culture, welfare, safety, and ecology.
Finally, he promised to ensure "happiness that can be felt up close." He aims to respect each student's potential while reducing administrative burdens on staff to allow them to focus more on education.
Quoting Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Jeong stated, "Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." He committed to proving Seoul education through action rather than words, trust rather than results, and children's growth rather than policies over the next four years.
The official schedule began at 9:20 a.m. with a visit to the National Cemetery in Dongjak District. At 10:40 a.m., he held a simple inauguration ceremony at the Seoul Education Office auditorium, attended by over 700 staff members and key figures.
In his inaugural address, Jeong reflected on his initial appointment as superintendent 20 months ago, stating, "When I first took office through a by-election, it was a time of mission to set the direction for Seoul education. The next four years, entrusted to me again by the citizens, will be a time of responsibility to fulfill that promise."
He emphasized the first direction for Seoul education over the next four years as "deeply establishing the basics." Jeong pledged to expand the concept of compulsory education to ensure equal educational opportunities from early childhood, eliminating disparities in foundational learning and paying closer attention to students' mental health.
He also stressed that even in the AI era, education must remain centered on people, advocating for a humane education that fosters critical thinking, empathy, and collaboration.
The second core value he identified was "broadly expanding cooperation." He proposed an educational administration based on "joint planning, joint practice, and joint evaluation" to ensure that on-the-ground experiences inform policy.
Jeong expressed respect for parents as vital partners in education, promising to enhance communication and work closely with the Seoul city government, the Seoul City Council, and local districts to create an educational ecosystem that seamlessly connects education, care, culture, welfare, safety, and ecology.
Finally, he promised to ensure "happiness that can be felt up close." He aims to respect each student's potential while reducing administrative burdens on staff to allow them to focus more on education.
Quoting Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Jeong stated, "Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." He committed to proving Seoul education through action rather than words, trust rather than results, and children's growth rather than policies over the next four years.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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