Candidates Kim Dae-jung and Jang Seok-woong for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education Compete in Endorsement Declarations

The Jeonnam Public School Administrative Staff Association declared their support for candidate Kim Dae-jung at Kim Dae-jung's campaign office in Suncheon, Jeonnam. Photo by Kim Dae-jung Campaign Office

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] With the June 1 local elections just 8 days away, the competition among candidates for the Jeonnam Superintendent of Education is fierce, and declarations of support for candidates Kim Dae-jung and Jang Seok-ung are being made competitively.

According to candidate Kim Dae-jung's side on the 24th, the Jeonnam Public School Administrative Staff Association declared support for candidate Kim Dae-jung at his campaign office in Suncheon City, Jeonnam.

The association stated, “We support candidate Kim Dae-jung, who aims to solve polarization issues and create educational sites that teach children the value of labor and human dignity,” adding, “Only candidate Kim Dae-jung, who emphasizes classrooms for studying and school human rights that guarantee the rights of all members, can bring about a major transformation in Jeonnam education.”

Candidate Kim and the association agreed to work together on ▲realizing equal pay for equal work in school settings ▲establishing a rational rank and seniority system for administrative staff at public middle and high schools ▲providing performance bonuses without discrimination.

Earlier, 111 environmental activists in Jeonnam also declared their support for candidate Kim Dae-jung.

They said, “We support candidate Kim Dae-jung for pilot fostering of carbon-neutral schools, substantial normalization of public education, and operation of the Jeonnam Environmental Education Center,” emphasizing, “We ask for the active interest and support of Jeonnam residents for Jeonnam education responding to the climate change crisis.”

They further expressed, “We declare support for candidate Kim Dae-jung for a major transformation in Jeonnam environmental education and will work together for his election.”

In addition, the Jeonnam branch of the Korean Federation of Trade Unions, 100 representatives from Jeonnam civic and social organizations, Jeonnam fisheries groups, the Citizens’ Group for Democratic Education Superintendents, Yeosu Industrial Complex Labor Union Council, youth and university students, and the Carbon Neutral Energy Jeonnam Residents’ Cooperative also declared support for candidate Kim.

Various organizations also continued to declare support for candidate Jang Seok-ung for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education.

Two hundred university professors from the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions declared their support for Jang Seok-woong, candidate for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education, the previous day. Photo by Jang Seok-woong Election Office

Two hundred university professors from the Gwangju-Jeonnam region declared their support for candidate Jang Seok-ung for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education the day before.

They stated, “Candidate Jang Seok-ung is an expert in field education and a practitioner of future innovative education who has devoted his life to cultivating the future and hope of Jeonnam education on the ground,” adding, “He is the right person to lead the innovative development of Jeonnam education and open a bright future for every child without giving up on any.”

They said, “Strengthening the public nature of education and leading educational democratization is the responsibility of all of us,” and declared, “We send warm support to candidate Jang Seok-ung and will do our best to let the flowers of democratic, progressive, and innovative education bloom fully.”

Parents belonging to the Jeonnam Parents’ Association, the Jeonnam East and West Fishermen’s Federation, Yeosu Sports Council, Jeonnam Elementary Sports Instructors Association, Gwangju-Jeonnam Public Transport Union, and Jeonnam School Staff Union also supported candidate Jang.

On the other hand, candidate Kim Dong-hwan is currently facing difficulties after being caught by the Jeonnam Election Commission and police for operating an illegal campaign office.

On the 20th, the Election Commission and police raided Kim’s Gwangju office, seizing computers and related materials, and confirmed allegations of providing or promising cash amounting to 9.96 million won.