Gwangju Practical Education Teachers' Association Wins 31st Kim Yonggeun Education Award

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The 31st Kim Yonggeun Education Award ceremony was held on the 14th in front of the bust of teacher Kim Yonggeun at the Gwangju Student Education and Culture Center. This year, the honor was awarded to the 'Gwangju Practical Education Teachers' Association,' which has continued to practice autonomous and community-based education among frontline teachers.

On the 14th, the 31st Kim Yonggeun Education Award ceremony was held in front of the bust of teacher Kim Yonggeun at the Gwangju Student Education and Culture Center. Provided by the Kim Yonggeun Memorial Association

The Kim Yonggeun Education Award was established in 1995 to honor the legacy of Kim Yonggeun, an anti-Japanese activist during the Japanese colonial period and a dedicated advocate for national self-reliant education after liberation. Each year, it recognizes and encourages individuals or groups who have put into practice independent national education and participatory democratic education. This year marks the 31st award ceremony.

Kim Yi-su, former Constitutional Court Justice and chairman of the Kim Yonggeun Memorial Association, stated, "This is a group that has vividly embodied the autonomy and historical awareness emphasized by Kim Yonggeun," adding, "It was an occasion to reaffirm hope for our education, as teachers are taking the lead in changing the direction of education."

Lee Haejung, president of the Gwangju Practical Education Teachers' Association, expressed, "Through education that connects the local community and history, we will help students understand and change society on their own."