Sixty-five Percent of Gwangju Teachers Willing to Join Political Parties... Some Express Intent to Run for Office

"Twenty Percent Say 'I Would Even Run for Office'...
Sixty-eight Percent Favor the Democratic Party
Teachers' Union: 'Basic Political Rights for Teachers Must Now Be Guaranteed'"

Sixty-five percent of teachers in Gwangju indicated that they are willing to join a political party. While the majority said they would only pay party dues, some expressed their intention to take on party duties or even run for office.

The Gwangju Teachers' Union conducted an online survey of 1,977 union members over three days from June 18 to June 20. A total of 593 people responded, resulting in a response rate of approximately 30%. Among the respondents, 65% said they would join a political party if teachers were granted the freedom to do so, while 35% said they would not join.

Of the 384 respondents who indicated their willingness to join a political party, 309 people (80%) answered that they would "only pay party dues without participating in party activities." The remaining 20% said they would "take on party duties" or "run for public office as a candidate." In terms of party preference, the Democratic Party of Korea was the most favored at 68.2%, followed by the Cho Kuk Innovation Party at 15.1%.

The Gwangju Teachers' Union cited three factors for the 65% figure. First, a sense of compensation for basic rights that have not been guaranteed; second, heightened political awareness due to the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol and the change of administration; and third, the recognition of the need for a channel to voice opinions amid the infringement of teachers' rights.

The union stated, "Since President Lee Jaemyung pledged during the election to guarantee the basic political rights of teachers and public officials, we urge the administration to swiftly implement this promise in the early days of the new government."