President Kim Dae-jung sent "cyber thanks" to elementary and high school teachers across the country Monday and invited 210 model teachers to Chong Wa Dae in celebration of the 20th Teachers' Day which falls on May 15.

In e-mails to some 133,000 teachers, Kim said... quote... "I express my deep thanks to you for devoting all your love and passion to education."... end quote.

He also said... children are our future and our hope.

He said... therefore, educating them is tantamount to shouldering the future of the nation."

Kim and First Lady Lee Hee-ho then visited Hansu Elementary School in Ilsan, Kyonggi Province, to take a closer look at a day in the life of a teacher.

Chairman of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), Kim Joong-kwon also visited Changchon Elementary School in Seoul's Mapo district.

In a meeting with teachers there, Kim pledged to come up with comprehensive measures to improve teachers' working conditions.