Jeong Geun-sik launches second term with 'basic education' agenda for Seoul schools

By Kim Yong-jae, The Herald Business

Jeong Geun-sik, who won re-election as Seoul superintendent of education in the June 3 local elections, has unveiled "basic education" as the central agenda of his second term. Jeong said he will lead Seoul's public schools by focusing on guaranteeing foundational academic skills, supporting students' mental health and building the civic competencies needed in the age of AI.

Jeong held his inauguration ceremony Tuesday morning at the main auditorium of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. "When I first took office as superintendent through a by-election one year and eight months ago, it was a time driven by a sense of mission to set Seoul education on the right course," he said. "The four years that citizens have entrusted to me again are a time of responsibility — to make good on those promises without fail."

Jeong outlined three directions for Seoul education in his second term: go deep on the basics, broaden collaboration and bring happiness closer. At the heart of the agenda is basic education, which he described as "a new public-education obligation — one that expands the concept of compulsory education to meet the demands of the times, so that every child is guaranteed equal educational opportunity from early childhood and equipped with the foundational competencies needed to live as a citizen in a democratic society."

"Foundational academic skills are the starting point of all learning," Jeong said. "I will ensure that not a single student is left behind." He also said mental health is "another foundation that supports children's growth" and pledged to look after students with care so they can learn with peace of mind in safe schools.

On AI education, Jeong underscored human-centered learning over the use of technology itself. "Seoul education will go beyond teaching AI — it will practice an education that is even more humane in the age of AI," he said. "The power to think, to read, to empathize, to collaborate and to act as a responsible citizen are the enduring essence of education, in any era."

Earlier, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education launched the "Seoul Education Committee for Happy Learning" to advance Jeong's campaign pledges. Chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Kim Jae-hyung, the committee will address key pledges including completing the constitutionally guaranteed free education, restoring mental health and the educational community, promoting wise AI use, strengthening foundational academic skills and building a reading-culture ecosystem across Seoul.

Jeong also said he would expand on-the-ground participation in how education policy is administered. "I will realize a Seoul education in which students, school staff, parents and citizens plan, practice, evaluate and take responsibility together," he said.

Support for school staff is another priority. "I will support schools so they can focus more on education, respect the expertise of the education family and look to the field first," Jeong said. "I will provide support that reduces administrative burden and adds more room for teaching."

He added: "I will prove Seoul education not through words but through action, not through results but through trust, not through policy but through the growth of children. I will walk the new four years of Seoul education — going deep on the basics, broadening collaboration, keeping happiness close — without wavering."