Jeonnam Office of Education Names Yumi Kim and Jinho Kim as June Honorees of "Let's Compliment" Campaign

Athletics and Badminton Coaches...
"Models of Integrity"

The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education has selected Yumi Kim, the athletics coach at Gwangyang Chilseong Elementary School, and Jinho Kim, the badminton coach at Suncheon Yeonhyang Middle School, as the honorees for June in its ongoing school sports team integrity campaign, "Let's Compliment."

On July 2, the provincial office announced, "Out of a total of 69 nominations received in June, we selected these two coaches through a rigorous review process, recognizing their student-centered coaching philosophies and integrity, which have made a positive impact in the field." This number represents a slight increase compared to the 68 nominations received in May.

Yumi Kim (left) and Jinho Kim, coaches. Provided by Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education

The "Let's Compliment" campaign goes beyond a simple reward system; it is an empathy-based integrity project in which students, parents, and staff can directly nominate sports team coaches. By delivering messages of gratitude and respect to coaches, the campaign boosts morale and serves as an opportunity to restore trust throughout school sports teams.

Yumi Kim, one of the coaches selected this time, is a field-oriented leader who has taught both character and responsibility through athletics, guided by the belief that "each child is the center and hope of the world." She practices the essence of education by running, crying, and laughing alongside her students.

Jinho Kim is well known as an "accompanying educator" who, with the conviction that "the future lies in the hands of a child holding a badminton racket," is always the first to open the gym and the last to leave, staying by his students' sides until the end.

Both coaches place greater emphasis on nurturing individuals than on achievements, and are recognized among students and parents as "coaches you can trust and rely on."

The provincial office is accelerating the establishment of an integrity-based sports ecosystem through this campaign and additional initiatives, including the operation of a Clean Reporting Center, the appointment of dedicated supervisors for each sport, the operation of a school sports team integrity implementation group, and the expansion of core integrity education.

Superintendent Daejung Kim stated, "Integrity is not a rule but a culture, and it must be established through empathy, not coercion." He added, "With the belief that one person's sincerity can move everyone and a single word of praise can transform all of Jeonnam education, we will create sports fields where the hidden dedication of coaches shines."