"Effectively a Unified Superintendent Election"... Kang Gijeong Welcomes Educational Administration Integration Task Force

Promise to Elevate Educational Autonomy and Guarantee Teachers' Status
Superintendents of Gwangju and Jeonnam Agree to Form Integration Task Force

Discussions on the integration of educational administration between Gwangju and Jeonnam have entered full swing. Following the agreement between the superintendents of both regions to form a task force for integration, Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju, has pledged institutional support for integrated educational autonomy.

Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, is delivering a greeting at the first meeting of the public-private joint working group 'Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Promotion Council' held on the 12th at Choi Sangjun Hall of Jeonnam Research Institute in Naju, Jeonnam. Photo by Gwangju City

On January 12, through his Facebook page, Mayor Kang Gijeong welcomed the agreement between Jungseon Lee, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, and Daejung Kim, Superintendent of Jeollanam-do Office of Education, to establish the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Educational Administration Integration Task Force," stating that "this essentially signals a move toward holding a unified superintendent election." He also stated, "I will do my utmost to ensure that educational autonomy is fully guaranteed."

Mayor Kang also presented two key principles to safeguard educational autonomy. He proposed that the Special Act on Administrative Integration should establish educational autonomy as an independent "section" rather than a conventional "chapter," ensuring that the autonomy, expertise, and political neutrality of education, as guaranteed by Article 31 of the Constitution, are respected. Furthermore, he stated that the status of educational public officials would be legally protected so that there would be no disadvantages in their current positions. Mayor Kang added, "I believe the agreement between the two superintendents will serve as a stepping stone for the integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam and the advancement of educational autonomy."

Jeongseon Lee, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, and Daejung Kim, Superintendent of Jeollanam-do Office of Education, adopted a joint statement on the 12th at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education Situation Room, expressing support for the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam and pledging cooperation. Provided by Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education

Earlier that day, the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education and the Jeollanam-do Office of Education issued a joint statement expressing their support for the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam and their commitment to close cooperation. The two offices pledged to work together to ensure educational autonomy throughout the integration process and to focus all efforts on nurturing future talent by reflecting the voices from the educational field. To this end, they agreed to form and operate the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Educational Administration Integration Task Force."

Superintendent Jungseon Lee stated, "I will do my best to achieve educational integration that creates a better educational environment without any personnel instability," while Superintendent Daejung Kim said, "A major transformation through integration is necessary for the future of our children."