3 big challenges facing Korea should be solved through education

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Sat, September 23, 2023 | 08:01

Society

3 big challenges facing Korea should be solved through education

Posted : 2023-05-10 17:00

Updated : 2023-05-11 12:01

Education Minister Lee Ju-ho, right, shakes hands with Chairman Seung Myung-ho of The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo during the Korea Forum 2023 hosted by the two papers at The Shilla Seoul hotel, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki

By Jun Ji-hye

Korea needs to address three major challenges ― the demographic cliff, digital transformation and regional disparity ― to leap forward once again, and this could be solved through education, according to Education Minister Lee Ju-ho, Wednesday.

While the country's significantly decreasing fertility rate is feared to accelerate the so-called demographic cliff, which refers to a major drop in the working population, Lee said the government should take responsibility for child care, from birth through to elementary school graduation.

"If child care problems facing dual-income families are solved, the fertility rate is expected to rise," Lee said during the Korea Forum 2023 at The Shilla Seoul hotel.

The annual forum is hosted by The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo.

Education Minister Lee Ju-ho gives a keynote address during the Korea Forum 2023 hosted by The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo at The Shilla Seoul hotel, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki

Korea's total fertility rate was 0.78 last year, breaking the country's own record for the world's lowest level.

"The number of children has decreased for years, while the budget has increased incrementally in accordance with national income. But the level of child care policies did not rise because the government has failed to respond to the situation promptly," Lee said.

"If the government accomplishes this task, the country will be able to offer world-level education and child care services."

The minister also said the education sector should be prepared for the fast introduction of digitalization amid the ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution.

To that end, the ministry has been working to expand digital-related education, such as coding training, after school hours or during vacations, which has been welcomed by parents and children.

"Textbooks powered by artificial intelligence (AI) are also being developed and will be applied to classrooms beginning in 2025," Lee said. "These textbooks will play a role as assistant teachers offering customized education services in accordance with the learning level of each student."

Lee added that the AI textbooks are expected to open a new market and enable related domestic firms to export their technologies overseas.

In a bid to resolve deepening regional disparity, Lee stressed the importance of the role of local universities, saying universities should become hubs for regional development.

"Various regulations imposed by the central government have disturbed the innovation of local universities," he said. "The ministry has been working to pass part of its administrative and financial authority to local governments so they can push for their own policies to support and develop local universities."

During the forum, participants also discussed issues involving labor and pension reforms in time for the one-year anniversary of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. The Yoon government has set its goals on pushing for reforms in three sectors ― education, labor and pension.

Chairman Seung Myung-ho of The Korea Times and the Hankook Ilbo said during his welcoming speech: "The three areas are very sensitive issues amid intricate webs of interests involving all of us. But we can no more delay discussions to solve the problems. Without reforms, we cannot expect Korea's sustainability."

Chairman Seung Myung-ho of The Korea Times and its sister paper Hankook Ilbo gives a welcoming speech during the Korea Forum 2023 hosted by the two papers at The Shilla Seoul hotel, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki

jjh@koreatimes.co.kr