N. Gyeongsang education chief Im Jong-sik takes office, vows to 'fulfill every student's dream'

The North Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education held an inauguration ceremony Tuesday for Im Jong-sik, the 19th superintendent of education for North Gyeongsang Province, at the grand auditorium of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Education Research Institute in Andong. About 700 people attended, including residents, members of the education community, and heads of major institutions and organizations.

The ceremony opened with highlight reels from the North Gyeongsang School Arts Education Festival and the Harmony 1000-Person Music Festival, followed by the national ceremony, an oath of office, the inaugural address, congratulatory video messages, a celebratory performance, a North Gyeongsang education hope performance, and a group singing of "Together, North Gyeongsang Education."

Congratulatory video messages from students, parents, teachers and figures from various walks of life, a performance by the Onulim Ensemble, and a celebratory stage by Principal Lee Gwang-ho made for a meaningful occasion marking the new start.

In his address, Im outlined five core policy directions to guide North Gyeongsang education over the next four years, including leading future education through human-centered AI education, delivering responsible education that encompasses everyone from foundational to advanced levels, and pursuing empathetic administration through open communication with schools.

"Students must always be at the center of education," Im said in his inaugural address. "I will do my utmost to ensure that children's happiness becomes the future of our region and nation, that teachers' sense of fulfillment becomes the hope of education, and that the satisfaction of parents and the trust of residents become the strength of North Gyeongsang education."

He added that he would "without fail complete a warm North Gyeongsang education — one that fulfills every student's dream — by steadfastly keeping a 12-year commitment that accompanies each child from the very beginning through to their future, so that all students can freely pursue their own dreams."

Earlier that day, before the ceremony, Im visited the Andong Memorial Tower for Fallen Patriots to pay his respects to those who gave their lives for the country, pledging a fresh start for the sixth elected term of North Gyeongsang education and unity within the education community.