Chungcheong Region Four Superintendents Oppose Abolition of Direct Election System... Call for Improvements to Address Issues

At National Assembly Audit, Kim Jicheol Chungnam Education Superintendent Says "Direct Election System Has More Advantages"

The superintendents of the four cities and provinces in the Chungcheong region have expressed their opposition to the abolition of the direct election system for superintendents.

Kim Ji-cheol, the Superintendent of Education for South Chungcheong, stated at the National Assembly's Education Committee audit of the Daejeon, Sejong, South Chungcheong, and North Chungcheong Offices of Education held at Chungbuk National University on the 18th, in response to a question from Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jung about his position on abolishing the direct election system, "Although issues such as 'blind elections' have been exposed, this is because superintendent elections are not party-based and lack concentrated media coverage. If these problems are addressed, the direct election system has more advantages and could become a globally recognized system."

Yoon Gun-young, the Superintendent of Education for North Chungcheong, said, "I believe the current system has contributed to building a good educational ecosystem in our country. The direct election system should be maintained, but the issues that have been repeatedly pointed out need to be improved."

Seol Dong-ho, the Superintendent of Education for Daejeon, stated, "Education should not lean to one side; fairness and neutrality are essential for effective education. The direct election system should be maintained, but there needs to be a system, such as a public election system, to verify the educational philosophies of the candidates."

Choi Kyo-jin, the Superintendent of Education for Sejong, also said, "The autonomy, professionalism, and political neutrality of education guaranteed by the Constitution must be upheld, and for this reason, the direct election system should continue. However, measures should be considered to allow teachers to express their opinions on superintendent elections and to enable high school students to participate in voting."