Commemoration Ceremony for “Incheon Education 100 Years School”

Incheon’s Great Pride, “Incheon Education 100 Years School”

Changyoung Elementary School is a school I visit every year. 

Incheon has 250 elementary schools, and Changyoung Elementary is, 

in fact, the birthplace of the March 1st Movement. 

This year, we also held a commemoration ceremony and a street parade here on March 1st.

Today is a special day, and I find it particularly meaningful. 

Starting with “a long history and tradition that shines” is a significant pride. 

Changyoung Elementary School has added 11 more years beyond its 100 years, 

making it 128 years old since its founding in 1896. A century is an incredibly long time. 

The number of elementary schools in Incheon that are over 100 years old has increased to 16. 

You may be surprised to know that 8 of those schools are in Ganghwa.

I mention this because it’s important to know our history correctly. 

In the old days, during the opening of the ports, transportation to Seoul went through Ganghwa. 

Instead of going directly to Seoul from here, people would take a boat to Ganghwa. 

When I mention this in Ganghwa, the response is always very positive.

A History Beyond the Logic of Numbers

Since Changyoung Elementary School was established in 1896, it is even more prestigious. 

Last year, when Changyoung Elementary faced the threat of closure, I opposed it. 

I am an alumnus of nearby Songrim Elementary School. 

When I attended, Changyoung Elementary and Songrim Elementary each had about 7,000 students. 

Each class typically had 85 to 86 students, with up to 14 or 15 classes. All of this is documented. 

There was even a time when a fire at Songrim Elementary 

forced me to temporarily attend Changyoung Elementary.

With such a long history, reducing it to mere numbers would be erasing that history. 

That’s why I insisted on preserving Changyoung Elementary, saving it from closure. 

Furthermore, we properly understood the history through research and reexamined the founding years. 

I am very pleased, proud, and delighted about this.

From the Opening of Ports in 1883 to a Proud Future

We must understand our history correctly to design a proper future.

 I talk about the dreams of Incheon and the future of the Republic of Korea, 

but this starts from our past. From the opening of ports in 1883, 

Incheon has led the modernization and industrialization of Korea.

Therefore, today is a proud day, and I hope that not only the alumni of Changyoung Elementary 

but also all citizens of Incheon take pride in it. 

Let us remember and commemorate this as a significant historical event that opens a proud future. 

I will join you in this endeavor and fulfill my role as mayor.

On this day, as we correct the historic founding date of Changyoung Elementary School 

and reflect on its meaning, I congratulate you on commemorating beyond 100 years of history 

and wish for its continued and limitless development. Thank you.