Jung Sunghong and Oh Kyungmi Call for End to Use of Former President's Name
Kim Yongtae: "Legitimate Credential... Public's Right to Know Must Be Protected"
In the Gwangju superintendent of education election poll, controversy is growing over the use of a title that includes the name of former President Roh Moo-hyun, with criticism warning against the politicization of education and counterarguments defending it as a "life achievement."
On September 4, Oh Kyungmi, former Director of Education at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, and Jung Sunghong, former head of the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union, issued a joint statement expressing "deep concern about the reality in which the election to choose the superintendent responsible for education is being distorted by the name and influence of a specific politician." They emphasized, "Political influence must be firmly excluded from education." The two preliminary candidates criticized, "The use of the title 'Head of the Gwangju Citizens' School of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation' by a particular candidate has caused poll support rates to fluctuate dramatically," and argued, "The superintendent election is being swayed not by policies and philosophy, but by political framing and the symbolism of famous figures."
They pointed out, "Including the name of a former president in one's credentials and using it in polls is an act of leveraging political influence, politicizing education, and undermining the fairness of the election." They called on the National Election Commission to "establish clear guidelines prohibiting the use of the names of former presidents and politicians as titles, in accordance with the legal principle of separating politics from education." They also stated that if their demand is not met, they will not participate in any election polls related to the Gwangju superintendent of education election.
On the other hand, Kim Yongtae, former head of the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union, who used the title in question, countered, "My experience as Head of the Gwangju Regional Committee Citizens' School of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation is the result of my accumulated life and a legitimate credential that I can proudly present." He argued, "There is no issue under the Public Official Election Act." Highlighting his background in the democratization movement, labor movement, activities with the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union, and participation in the 5·18 Public Education Special Committee of the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education before serving as head of the Citizens' School, he stated, "A candidate's experience is an important factor for voters to evaluate, and pressuring polls infringes on the public's right to know."
Kim further added, "Gwangju's education system is in urgent need of major change due to personnel corruption, declining integrity, poor finances, and a shortage of teachers," and emphasized, "I will move forward not for personal power, but for the educational cause demanded by civil society."
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