Although the students came on a cultural program, Hofschneider said their visit will also help promote Saipan and boost the local tourism industry.
“I hope our island can give them much pleasure,” he said.
Hofschneider remained the officer-in-charge at the mayor’s office because “someone has to continue the operation here.”
Mayor Donald Flores was unable to report for work yesterday as scheduled after attending a weeklong conference in Hawaii. In his memorandum, he designated Hofschneider to be the officer-in-charge until Aug. 7.
But there has been a delay in the mayor’s arrival.
“I will take responsibility for any decision I make as officer in charge,” Hofschneider said.
The mayor was expected to arrive Tuesday night.
During his meeting with the DangJin Middle School students and its principal Kim Hui Tae, Hofschneider expressed his appreciation for their visit.
Tae presented to Hofschneider a cultural gift while the mayor’s office presented a certificate to the visitors.
Tae said the students were happy to see the “beautiful environment” of Saipan.
He said they will invite students from Saipan Southern High School and the mayor next year to visit Korea.
Hofschneider and Tae discussed and compared the school calendar and academic programs in the CNMI and Korea.
Tae and two teachers, Kim Hyeon Soo and Lee Hyo Chang, accompanied the 36 honor students from DangJin Middle School.
The group will perform community service on Saipan, according to Jun Park, the coordinator of the visit and president of P, Art Music Academy.
