"Today, I Stand on the Side of Children Again" Publication Ceremony Successfully Held
Led the Establishment and Pilot Operation of the Sejong Office of Education Career Education Institute
Attended by Congressman Junhyeon Kang, Chunhee Lee, Sangho Cho, Junil Ko, Suhyeon Kim, and Other Prospective Sejong Mayoral Candidates
Kwangsik Ahn, a preliminary candidate for Superintendent of Education in Sejong City, held a publication ceremony and book concert for his book "Today, I Stand on the Side of Children Again" at the Areum-dong Complex Community Center in Sejong City on February 28, 2026, seeking to expand his base of support.
Approximately 1,000 people attended the event to offer their congratulations, including Congressman Junhyeon Kang, Chunhee Lee, former mayor of Sejong, Sangho Cho, former Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs of Sejong City, Junil Ko, former Chairman of the Sejong City Council, Suhyeon Kim, co-chair of the Sejong Citizens' Civil Society Coalition, as well as Sejong City Council members Dongbin Kim, Hyunmi Kim, Ranhee Park, Shinin Ahn, and Nayeong Hong.
From the left, author Kwangsik Ahn, Member of the National Assembly Junhyeon Kang (Photo by Seokbong Mo)
Preliminary candidate Ahn stated, "As a teacher, at my first assignment at Kumho Middle School, I often wondered whether what these children needed most was knowledge or understanding-when I saw the child who always sat quietly in the corner because of a difficult home situation, the child who lowered their head and swallowed their questions, and the child who only became themselves on the playground."
He continued, "This question became a standard that I have never let go of, no matter what position I have found myself in since then. I made a promise to always stand on the side of children-even if I waver, worry, or sometimes arrive late-and to this day, that conviction remains unchanged."
Ahn emphasized his commitment to always stand with children and to implement educational policies from their perspective in the future.
He explained, "This book is not a personal record, but the result of years spent reflecting on education together with the city of Sejong," adding, "Education requires more than good intentions; it demands a firm philosophy, a solid structure, and an attitude of ultimate responsibility."
Jinseon Ryu, adjunct professor at Chungnam National University College of Education, wrote in his recommendation, "'Today, I Stand on the Side of Children Again' calmly analyzes the structural problems facing education in Sejong and convincingly demonstrates, through real-world experience, what choices and responsibilities are needed to address them. Only someone who truly understands the current structure of education could propose such a calm yet clear direction for change," he said, describing Ahn as the right person for Sejong education.
From the left, Sangho Cho, former Deputy Mayor of Sejong City for Economic Affairs, and author Kwangsik Ahn (Photo by Seokbong Mo)
Congressman Junhyeon Kang (Sejong City, District B) said in his congratulatory remarks, "Preliminary candidate Kwangsik Ahn is one year my senior from Kumho Middle School and has long dedicated himself to the local community. I firmly believe that his educational efforts will become a strong foundation for creating a healthy educational environment in Sejong City, and I support him enthusiastically."
Congressman Jongmin Kim sent a congratulatory video message, stating, "Preliminary candidate Kwangsik Ahn is an education expert who began as an ordinary teacher and steadily advanced to the center of educational administration. This book is a record of his beliefs," he said, giving high praise.
During the second part of the book concert, in response to a fifth-grade student's question, "Can you really stand on the side of children until the end?" Ahn reiterated his pledge, saying, "I will look from the perspective of children, not adults, and strive to be an adult who protects the educational rights that enable children to reflect and grow, always standing on their side."
Meanwhile, Kwangsik Ahn graduated from Seongdeok Elementary School, Kumho Middle School, Daejeon Dongsan High School, and Chungnam National University, earning his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in education. After serving as a teacher at Kumho Middle School, Sejong High School, and others, he worked as the Director of the Educational Policy Research Institute and the Director of the Career Education Institute at the Sejong City Office of Education, establishing himself as an education expert.
In particular, he led the establishment and pilot operation of the Career Education Institute at the Sejong City Office of Education, building a local, customized career education system. Through the operation of the Student Reconciliation Mediation Center, he worked to shift from a punishment-centered model to a restorative approach for resolving conflicts.
Currently, he is co-representative of the Democratic Sejong Innovation Council and the executive director of the Sejong Education Hope Research Institute, devoting himself to connecting education and civil society.
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