Seoul: Choi Kyo-jin, who has been appointed by President Lee Jae Myung as the nation's new education minister, is making history as the first individual to transition from a three-term education superintendent in Sejong to this prominent national position. Choi brings with him a wealth of experience in the fields of teaching and education policy.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Choi, age 71, started his professional journey as a middle school teacher. He was actively involved with the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union, a progressive teachers union, where he served as senior vice chair in 1999. After retiring from his teaching career, Choi continued to contribute to educational and national development. He acted as an adviser to the National Unification Advisory Council, which provides strategic advice on unification matters.
Choi's career also includes notable roles during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, such as the executive chair of the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation and a panel member of the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development. In 2014, he was elected as the superintendent of education for Sejong and successfully reelected in 2018 and 2022, achieving the distinction of being the first to serve three terms in this role.
Further demonstrating his leadership in education, Choi headed the National Council of Governors of Education from 2020 to 2022. This organization represents the superintendents of 17 education offices across Korea.