Gwangju Superintendent Candidate Kim Yongtae: "Stop Boycotting Over Roh Moo-hyun Title"

Direct Criticism of Poll Credential Controversy
"No Intention to Give Up Title, Let's Discuss Through Debate"

"Boycotting polls by nitpicking legitimate career credentials is a cowardly act that reveals a fear of the citizens' judgment."

On the morning of the 29th, Kim Yongtae, former head of the Gwangju Regional Committee of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council.

With the Gwangju Superintendent of Education election, which will be held alongside next year's local elections, approaching, a heated controversy has erupted over the use of job titles that include the name of former President Roh Moo-hyun. Kim Yongtae, former head of the Citizens' School at the Gwangju Regional Committee of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, who is preparing to run for office, held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council on the 29th. He criticized, "Interfering with media polls by raising issues with a particular candidate's career infringes on the public's right to know and undermines the fundamental principles of democracy."

He stated, "My experience as the head of the Citizens' School at the Gwangju Regional Committee of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation is a legitimate credential with no legal issues." He added, "When Choi Gyojin, the current Minister of Education, ran for Superintendent of Sejong, he used the same title, and Lee Jeongseon, the current Superintendent, also listed credentials including the names of Presidents Kim Daejung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jaein in his 2022 campaign materials. Singling out my credentials now is a clear case of double standards." He went on to say, "I have no intention of giving up my title, and I will participate if fair unification guidelines are established." He described the current situation as "an unprecedented level of overheating" and proposed, "Let us discuss this openly before the citizens through a public debate among the candidates."

Meanwhile, civic organizations in Gwangju announced that they would hold a press conference at the Gwangju City Council on the 30th, declaring their intention to nominate a 'democratic, progressive, and civic Superintendent of Education candidate' through the power of the citizens. They stated, "It is time for citizens to actively participate in Gwangju's education and next year's superintendent election," and appealed for participation in the tentatively named 'Gwangju Citizens' Nomination Committee for Democratic, Progressive, and Civic Superintendent Candidates.' They added, "The schedule and nomination process will be announced at the official launch press conference," and explained, "This press conference is to urge public participation."