President Park Geun-hye vowed Tuesday to realize an education system that stresses creativity and goes beyond traditional paradigms, a view in line with her "creative economy" vision.
  
"Our education should be the source of creative ideas that sparks innovation," Park said in a speech at an education symposium held jointly by South Korean education institutes and the World Bank.
   
She said South Korea is making efforts to ensure students can develop their creative potential, noting the future of each person and the nation is influenced by creativity and innovation, not by mere possession of knowledge.
   
South Koreans' education fervor helped transform the country into Asia's fourth-largest economy from the ashes of the 1950-53 Korean War. 

Education is one of the biggest sources of household spending in a highly competitive society where many people believe good academic performance is linked to decent jobs.
  
Still, Park admitted challenges facing South Korean students, saying they are under too much stress due to excessive education fervor over the state-run college entrance exam.
   
Critics say South Korea's education system relies on simple memorization and rote learning, and lacks critical thinking. (Yonhap)