Candidate Kim Dae-jung for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education, Election Office Opening Ceremony

Candidate Kim Dae-jung for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education held an opening ceremony for his campaign office in Suncheon on the 14th. Photo by Kim Dae-jung Campaign Office

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Kim Dae-jung, candidate for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education, held an opening ceremony for his election office on the 5th floor of the Boim Building in Suncheon City on the 14th, officially starting his election campaign.

At the opening ceremony, about 2,000 people including Kim Young-rok, Democratic Party candidate for Jeonnam Governor, former Minister of Justice Cheon Jeong-bae, former National Assembly member Lee Young-ho, former Jeonnam Superintendent of Education Jang Man-chae, former Gokseong County Governor Go Hyun-seok, education veterans, and parents gathered to share concerns about Jeonnam's educational issues and propose alternatives.

Cheon Jeong-bae, former Minister of Justice and chairman of Kim Dae-jung's support committee, emphasized, "Jeonnam education has fallen to the lowest ever in both CSAT scores and integrity rankings over the past four years," adding, "We must drive out this incompetent and corrupt educational force and create new leadership."

Former Minister Cheon appealed for support, saying, "Jeonnam education cannot be revived by just experience in the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU)," and "Only candidate Kim Dae-jung, who has experience in politics, administration, and education, can create a clean and academically excellent Jeonnam education."

Jang Man-chae, former Jeonnam Superintendent of Education, expressed support, saying, "Having observed Kim Dae-jung for seven years, he is truly upright, honest, and capable," and "Only candidate Kim can create a Jeonnam education where 'the process is fair and the results are just.'"

The opening ceremony drew attention with a performance where children walked on an actual flower path, symbolizing the hope that children will only walk on flower paths, under the theme "Future education for children begins."

In his greeting, candidate Kim Dae-jung reflected on his life, saying, "My mother’s dream was for me to become a teacher and practice true education, but I was dismissed shortly after starting," and "I declined opportunities for reinstatement and worked for the legalization of the KTU, the election of President Kim Dae-jung, and democratic political progress."

Candidate Kim stated, "Now Jeonnam education is facing the greatest crisis ever due to a rapid population decline, requiring a major transformation," and "I will revive Jeonnam education through creative education, future education, digital education, and educational autonomy."