Kim Dae-jung and Jang Seok-woong, Jeonnam Education Superintendent Candidates, Heat Up Support Declaration Battle

The Korean Federation of Trade Unions Jeonnam Headquarters and 100 representatives from Jeonnam civil society organizations declared their support for Kim Dae-jung, candidate for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education. Photo by Kim Dae-jung Election Office

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] With 12 days remaining until the June 1 local elections, support declarations for candidates Kim Dae-jung and Jang Seok-woong, candidates for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education, are continuing from various sectors, heating up the competition between the two candidates.

The Korean Federation of Trade Unions Jeonnam Headquarters stated on the 20th, "Along with 146 unit labor unions and 63,000 workers, we will do our best to ensure the election of candidate Kim Dae-jung," and added, "We support candidate Kim Dae-jung, who plans to establish a growth-stage evaluation system using AI tutors and create a learning history management system that connects diagnosis, learning, evaluation, and support."

The Korean Federation of Trade Unions said, "Above all, schools that focus on studying are important," and claimed, "We sympathize with candidate Kim Dae-jung's policy to conduct fair personnel management that rewards hardworking staff and to abolish the superficial teacher competency development evaluation and performance pay system."

A group of 100 representatives from Jeonnam civic and social organizations also declared their support for candidate Kim Dae-jung.

These organizations held a press conference at 11 a.m. in the briefing room of the Jeonnam Provincial Council and stated, "We support Kim Dae-jung, a candidate for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education whose abilities have been verified through experience in education, administration, and politics."

They continued, "Education is a crucial issue that determines the jobs, lives, and happiness of the nation and region," emphasizing, "Candidate Kim Dae-jung, a former dismissed teacher with diverse experience as the chairman of Mokpo City Council, secretary-general of Mokpo YMCA, and chief secretary to the Jeonnam Superintendent of Education, is a capable person who can lead a major transformation in Jeonnam education."

Support declarations for candidate Jang Seok-woong for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education also continued.

The Jeonnam East and West Branches of the National Language People's Association declared their support for Jang Seok-woong, candidate for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education. Photo by Jang Seok-woong Election Office

The National Federation of Fishermen's Associations Jeonnam East and West Branches declared their support for candidate Jang Seok-woong at his campaign office on the same day.

The National Federation of Fishermen's Associations Jeonnam East and West Branches stated, "We fully support Jang Seok-woong, the sole democratic progressive candidate who can share our difficulties, and we will do everything possible for his re-election as superintendent."

They said, "Through the re-election of candidate Jang Seok-woong, we hope that pure local seafood will be provided as healthy food to school children, which will also become a hope for the survival rights of fishermen," adding, "It is important to properly educate our children about food sovereignty and systematically teach the importance and awareness of the fisheries industry. We expect that such practices will be pioneered by the Jeonnam Office of Education led by Superintendent Jang Seok-woong."

With these successive support declarations from various sectors for the two candidates, the atmosphere of the Jeonnam Superintendent of Education election is increasingly intensifying.

An education official in Jeonnam said, "Recent polls show that candidates Kim Dae-jung and Jang Seok-woong have ultra-close support rates within the margin of error, raising interest among school staff," and added, "There is a saying that the superintendent election is a 'dark election' due to lower interest compared to local government elections. However, voters must pay close attention for the future of the nation and children."