Kim Daejung Leads Jeonnam Superintendent Race with 30% Support

Second-tier Candidates Remain in Single Digits
Undecided Voters Account for 57%

In a recent opinion poll conducted ahead of next year's 6·3 local elections, current Jeonnam Superintendent of Education Kim Daejung established a commanding lead with support in the 30% range.

The survey on preferred candidates for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education was commissioned by the Newsis Gwangju-Jeonnam News Bureau, the Mudeung Ilbo, and Gwangju MBC, and conducted by Korea Research International on June 20-21. Superintendent Kim Daejung received 30% support, taking first place.

There was a double-digit gap between Kim and the second-tier group. Kang Sookyung, former superintendent at the Jeonnam Office of Education, recorded 6%. Kim Haeryong, executive director of the Jeonnam Education Transformation Forum, received 4%. Moon Seungtae, vice president for external cooperation at Suncheon National University, had 3%. Jang Kwanho, chairman of the Jeonnam Education Research Institute, received 1%. The proportion of respondents who answered "none," "don't know," or did not respond was 57%, indicating that a significant number of voters have yet to decide on a candidate.

Looking at the details of support bases, Superintendent Kim was strong among those in their 50s (38%), residents of the southwestern region of Jeonnam (38%), progressive-leaning respondents (35%), and supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea (32%). Former superintendent Kang showed higher preference among those in their 40s (10%), residents of the eastern region of Jeonnam (7%), and student respondents (11%). Executive director Kim was favored among those in their 30s (6%) and supporters of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party (11%). Vice president Moon received relatively higher support among those in their 60s (4%) and residents of the eastern region of Jeonnam (4%). Chairman Jang was supported by those in their 60s (3%) and residents of the Gwangju suburban area (3%).

Regarding Superintendent Kim's job performance, 62% of respondents gave a positive evaluation, far surpassing the negative evaluation (10%). Positive ratings were especially high among those aged 18-29 (63%), those in their 40s (67%), residents of the Gwangju suburban area (62%), progressive-leaning respondents (67%), and supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea (66%). The proportion of "don't know" or non-responses was 28%.

This survey was conducted via telephone interviews using virtual mobile phone numbers provided by the three major domestic telecommunications companies. Out of 4,668 Jeonnam residents aged 18 and over who were contacted, 802 completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 17.2%. The margin of error is ±3.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

The sample was weighted and adjusted by region, gender, and age based on the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's resident registration population statistics as of the end of May 2025. Further details on the survey can be found on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.