'Mujugongsan' 2022 Gwangju Superintendent of Education Election: Who Is Running?

Superintendent Jang Hwikuk 'Term Limit Beyond Three Terms'... No Incumbent Premium

About 10 Competitors from Various Sectors Including Jeon Gyojo, Education, Politics, and Former University Presidents

(From left) Kang Dong-wan, former president of Chosun University; Kim Seon-ho, former education committee member; Kim Hong-sik, former head of Western Education Office; Park Joo-jung, current head of Western Education Office; Park Hye-ja, former member of the National Assembly; Lee Jeong-seon, former president of Gwangju National University of Education; Lee Jeong-jae, former president of Gwangju National University of Education; Jeong Seong-hong, former secretary-general of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union; Choi Young-tae, former dean of humanities at Chonnam National University. (In alphabetical order)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Cho Hyung-joo] With just over six months remaining until next year's Gwangju Metropolitan City Superintendent of Education election, which will lead Gwangju's education policy, a fierce contest is anticipated as numerous figures from various fields are being mentioned as candidates, both voluntarily and involuntarily.

In particular, this election is expected to be highly competitive as Superintendent Jang Hwi-guk will not be able to run due to the three-term limit, resulting in no so-called 'incumbent premium' for the head of Gwangju education, with about 10 candidates expressing their intentions.

First, former Gwangju National University of Education President Lee Jeong-seon and former Chonnam National University Dean of Humanities Choi Young-tae, who narrowly lost in the last local election, are expected to make a re-challenge.

Former President Lee Jeong-seon narrowly lost to Superintendent Jang Hwi-guk by only 2% in the last Gwangju Superintendent of Education election. During his tenure as president of Gwangju National University of Education, he achieved accomplishments such as being recognized as the top university for teacher training and having the highest scholarship benefit rate, consistently demonstrating his ability and experience in education policy, which he presents as his strength.

Former Dean Choi Young-tae of Chonnam National University, leveraging his experience as the university's Academic Affairs Director, has expressed his ambition to successfully establish the high school credit system, similar in nature to university liberal arts courses, at an early stage.

Additionally, during his time as chairman of the Gwangju Citizens' Rights Committee, he publicized local issues such as the Gwangju Urban Railway Line 2 and proposed solutions for relocating Gwangju Airport (civilian and military), using his experience in resolving or guiding local issues as a foundation to address and unify the challenges in Gwangju education.

Former university presidents Kang Dong-wan of Chosun University and Lee Jeong-jae of Gwangju National University of Education are also being mentioned.

Former President Kang Dong-wan served as director of Chosun University Dental Hospital, held positions in academic societies, and was a working committee member for the establishment of the Advanced Medical Complex under the Prime Minister's Office. He emphasizes his strength in promoting convergence education that fosters humanities and creative service.

He is preparing various policies, including promoting the 6th Educational Renaissance under the concept of "Gwangju is a school, Korea's school, and the world's school," which Gwangju and the world can learn from.

Former President Lee Jeong-jae of Gwangju National University of Education has accumulated over 40 years of experience in education as an elementary, middle, and high school teacher, as well as a professor and president at a junior college and Gwangju National University of Education. He is determined to run with the goal of "premium Gwangju education."

In addition, in the education sector, former West Education Support Office Director Kim Hong-sik and current West Education Support Office Director Park Joo-jung are also expected to run.

Former Director Kim Hong-sik serves as co-chairman of the Mudeungsan Protection Organizations Council and has held positions such as president of the Korean Secondary School Principals Association, Gwangju City Chapter, and president of the Gwangju Public Secondary School Principals Training Association. He sets the educational goal of transforming schools from competing entities into "career learning spaces that grow together but differently," aiming for healthy and warm educational policies.

Director Park Joo-jung has devoted his life to education and has promoted "Kongnamul Education," which embodies his philosophy. Kongnamul Education is based on the idea that if children are given consistent attention and patience, like watering bean sprouts, they will eventually grow. Additionally, during his time as a frontline teacher, he showed love by caring for 707 students with school maladjustment for over ten years.

Among political figures, Park Hye-ja, former dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Honam University and a former 19th National Assembly member, is also being mentioned as a potential candidate.

Former Assemblywoman Park gained experience in formulating national education policies over four years on the Education Committee. She also served as the head of the Korea Education and Research Information Service, where she was involved in establishing and executing national education policies.

She is credited with contributing to building a foundation for personalized learning using educational data and leading future education.

From the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), former Gwangju branch chief Jeong Seong-hong and former Dong-A Girls' Middle and High School appointed chairman Kim Seon-ho are mentioned as candidates.

Former Gwangju KTU branch chief Jeong Seong-hong has expressed his intention to run with the value of realizing "Democratic Schools." He has taken on the role of problem solver in education and social issues by working with networks such as the Gwangju Korean History Textbook Nationalization Prevention Network and the Gwangju Labor Rights Network.

Former chairman Kim Seon-ho built a foundation for Gwangju education through experience as a middle school principal and vice principal in the Gwangju area and as the appointed chairman of Dong-A Girls' Middle School. He was elected as an education council member of the Gwangju City Council in 2010 and supervised the management of the city education office for four years, solidifying his position through various civic activities and educational experience.

Additionally, former Chonnam National University President Ji Byeong-mun and former education council member Jeong Hee-gon are weighing their candidacies.

Former President Ji Byeong-mun said, "I am considering running for Gwangju Superintendent of Education as I am strongly encouraged by those around me for the change in Gwangju education." He previously served as a 17th National Assembly member and chairman of the Korea Private School Promotion Foundation.

Former education council member Jeong Hee-gon stated, "I am recovering from a temporary health setback," and is expected to maintain a temporary wait-and-see stance. A former dismissed teacher from the KTU, he has been involved in education for over 30 years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.