New superintendent outlines 5 key priorities, including AI-based future education and welfare
Kwon Sun-ki was inaugurated Tuesday as the 19th superintendent of education for South Gyeongsang Province, officially beginning his tenure with a pledge to lead the region's schools into a new era.
The South Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education held the inauguration ceremony that afternoon at Ireum Hall in the General Education Building of Changwon National University. Attendees included South Gyeongsang Governor Park Wan-su, heads of major provincial institutions, senior civil servants from the education office, district education directors and heads of affiliated agencies.
In his inaugural address, Kwon said the public's decision to entrust him with the future of South Gyeongsang education amounted to "a solemn mandate from residents to truly transform education." He said he would "bring together the voices from diverse educational settings, establish clear principles and build an education system in South Gyeongsang that is prepared for the future."
Kwon cited rapid shifts in the educational environment — including the low birth rate, population decline and the spread of AI — and said restoring the core values of education was essential. "The key to overcoming the crisis of national decline and opening a new future for South Gyeongsang lies in education," he said.
He outlined five key priorities for advancing education in the province: improving academic achievement and advancing AI-based future education; achieving top-tier education welfare nationwide; building a happy education environment that satisfies the entire school community; ensuring education that takes responsibility for students' safety, health and futures; and driving regional growth through education.
Kwon particularly emphasized guaranteeing foundational academic skills and strengthening public education. "We will ensure that every student can pursue their dreams within the public education system, without relying on private tutoring," he said, promising to make South Gyeongsang "a place people come to because of its education — a great place to raise children."
Earlier Tuesday, Kwon visited the National March 15th Democratic Cemetery in Changwon to lay flowers and pay his respects before reporting to the provincial education office for his first day of work. He then shared his vision for running South Gyeongsang's education system with senior civil servants and attended the inauguration ceremony of Governor Park.
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