Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said Wednesday that fully resuming in-person classes from the fall semester is a goal that cannot be abandoned, given the widening educational gap among children and the social and emotional deficits caused by online learning.

Visiting an elementary school in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Kim cited the assessment by health experts that school is relatively the safest place for students.

The school, Gaesin Elementary School, has been preparing for full in-person classes under Level Three social distancing.

Kim said that as the fourth wave persists, spurred by the delta variant, the government is aware of the concern, including those from parents and teachers. But he said that reinstalling normalcy in school is a symbolic indicator that society in general is inching closer to normality.

The prime minister called for thorough safety measures to be kept in order to have as many children back in school. He also promised government efforts to fully restart in-person classes at all schools within the fall semester.