Jeong Geun-sik emphasizes unity after bruising eight-way race; Greater Seoul education chiefs to hold joint press conference on field trips

Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent-elect Jeong Geun-sik speaks at a press conference at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on Thursday. [Yonhap]
Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent-elect Jeong Geun-sik speaks at a press conference at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on Thursday. [Yonhap]

By Kim Yong-jae, The Herald Business

Jeong Geun-sik, who won re-election as Seoul's superintendent of education in the June 3 nationwide local education chief elections, reported for his first day back Thursday and pledged to "actively strengthen cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Metropolitan Council."

Jeong held a press conference in the first-floor lobby of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in Yongsan-gu at 10:20 a.m. "I humbly accept the result that citizens chose with great difficulty and will lead Seoul's education well for another four years," he said.

Pointing to the unusually crowded eight-way race, he made unity his top priority. "There were difficulties because an unusually large number of candidates refused to accept the results, but I feel a weighty responsibility to embrace those who lost and to look out for the socially vulnerable," he said. "I will take in the good policies of the candidates I competed against and be a superintendent who listens to all citizens without being trapped in partisan logic."

Cooperation with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and the city council also featured prominently in his remarks. "I felt the problem that a superintendent candidate cannot hold policy consultations with a mayoral candidate," he said. "There is a need to actively cooperate with Mayor Oh and to strengthen necessary policy agreements with the city council."

Jeong said he would move quickly on his signature campaign pledge to establish "emotional healing schools" for students struggling with mental health. Asked about his key priorities, he said he would "refine the comprehensive mental health plan drawn up last September, build the emotional healing schools as soon as possible, and announce a concrete plan at the earliest opportunity."

On the issue of declining school field trips — a persistent concern among educators — he signaled an assertive response, including a push for legislation. "I plan to hold a press conference with education superintendents from Gyeonggi Province, Incheon and other parts of the greater metropolitan area to urge the National Assembly to amend the relevant law," he said.

Jeong closed with a statement of purpose. "The phrase I used most over the past two months was rebuilding the Seoul education community — with wise eyes, warm hands and steps toward those in lower places," he said. "Regardless of vote share, trust in Seoul education will grow stronger, and I will work together with you to build schools where learning is a joy."


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