Kim Sang-kwon and Park Jong-hoon Ignite Fierce Debate in Gyeongnam Superintendent Discussion... Was the '8 Years' a Success or Failure, and What About the Future?

Controversy Over the Term 'Centrist-Conservative Unification' in Verifying Education Level and Candidate Qualifications

[Image source=KBS News Gyeongnam YouTube screen capture]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The voters' perspective on the Gyeongnam Superintendent of Education election is whether it is a judgment on the "lost 8 years" or a hope for the "successful 12-year finale."

Candidate Park Jong-hoon praised the educational innovation in Gyeongnam over the past 8 years and emphasized the significance of his third-term challenge, while candidate Kim Sang-kwon is determined not to allow the continuation of the education that was ruined over the past 8 years.

The election, which is just over two weeks away, is a fierce contest where the sharply contrasting philosophies of progressive and conservative education experts face off, viewing the same issues from completely different perspectives. Regardless of rhetorical disputes, this local election is evolving into a 'trench' battle between conservatives and progressives, with no room for vote splitting or benefiting from candidate proliferation.

The candidates representing the two camps met and engaged in a fiery debate. On the afternoon of the 12th, Kim Sang-kwon, candidate for Gyeongnam Superintendent of Education, and Park Jong-hoon clashed at a candidate policy debate hosted by KBS Changwon Headquarters.

The two candidates discussed topics such as Gyeongnam's academic achievement levels and the full implementation of the high school credit system.

Candidate Park Jong-hoon for Superintendent of Education in Gyeongnam. [Image source=KBS News Gyeongnam YouTube screenshot]

Regarding Gyeongnam's academic achievement level, candidate Park Jong-hoon said, "Academic management after COVID-19 is better than before," adding, "By developing iTalkTalk, the number of students with basic academic deficiencies has decreased, and when compared to the averages of other cities and provinces, the academic gap is smaller."

Candidate Kim Sang-kwon for Superintendent of Education in Gyeongnam. [Image source=KBS News Gyeongnam YouTube screenshot]

Candidate Kim Sang-kwon stated firmly, "According to the Curriculum Evaluation Institute, from 2016 to 2020, the proportion of Gyeongnam students scoring in the top 1-3 grades in Korean, English, and Math on the CSAT was ranked 15th out of 17 cities and provinces, which is the lowest level."

Candidates Kim Sang-kwon (left) and Park Jong-hoon in discussion. [Image source=KBS News Gyeongnam YouTube screenshot]

"To improve academic achievement, academic performance evaluations are very important, but the progressive teachers' union-affiliated superintendent openly opposes them," he added. "In a survey conducted in September 2021 by the National Assembly targeting parents of elementary, middle, and high school students nationwide, 57.5% supported implementing academic evaluations."

"I will implement a Gyeongnam-style academic performance evaluation to elevate Gyeongnam education to the highest level nationwide," he said.

Candidates Kim Sang-kwon (left) and Park Jong-hoon in discussion. [Image source=KBS News Gyeongnam YouTube screenshot]

In response, candidate Park rebutted, "Looking at the overall average CSAT scores of Gyeongnam students, the ranking was 15th among cities and provinces in 2015 but gradually improved to 10th in 2020 and 2021, and ranked 3rd at the provincial level."

"I have never opposed performance evaluations," he raised his voice, "Opposing the nationwide standardized test does not mean opposing performance evaluations; that is an absurd claim."

He argued that academic achievement is not about rankings and scores but about process-centered evaluation, and emphasizing CSAT scores and university entrance results promotes hierarchy.

The two candidates also clashed over the big data and artificial intelligence (AI) platform iTalkTalk and student smart devices.

Candidate Kim said, "Even though the Ministry of Education has created e-Hakseupter, they partnered with private companies to develop a platform with the same functions. In a May 2020 survey of teachers, 84.1% responded that they had no choice but to select iTalkTalk, 8.4% said they would use iTalkTalk if given a choice, and 61.1% said it was an unnecessary budget."

He claimed that the smart devices distributed to students frequently malfunction, are heavy, and are limited to entertainment or YouTube viewing.

Candidate Park countered, "Unlike e-Hakseupter, iTalkTalk accumulates all student learning activities as education office data, and based on that, AI identifies individuality and enables customized learning," adding, "Seoul and Jeju regions have even approached us to use iTalkTalk together."

He explained that since it is a new device, there might have been unfamiliarity, but if there were many problems, teachers would not use it, and games and similar functions have been disabled.

He also stated that a post-management system is in place to address smart device malfunctions to prevent inconvenience, and the devices are inherently heavy to ensure durability and robustness.

Both candidates agreed on the purpose of the high school credit system to be fully implemented in 2025 but expressed somewhat differing opinions on what should be prepared first at home in anticipation of its implementation.

Candidate Park said, "Future-oriented education is about finding the individuality of children and providing customized learning, so the high school credit system is prepared accordingly," adding, "Although there are parts that need partial revision and supplementation, it is more beneficial to implement it and improve it along the way rather than perfecting it before implementation."

"To establish it properly, securing students' self-directedness is necessary," he added. "It is important for students to have the capability to choose their own career paths and subjects."

Candidate Kim said, "The high school credit system is an educational system that guarantees diverse career and job choices for students," and "I will do my best to identify and supplement problems in preparation for full implementation, which parents and field teachers are concerned about."

"For the high school credit system, students' career choices must be prioritized, and securing teachers related to subject selection is also necessary," he said.

Until just before the debate, the two candidates clashed over the use of the term 'moderate-conservative unification,' and they continued to argue during the debate.

Candidate Kim said, "I am the candidate who was confidently unified after an 8-month moderate-conservative unification primary," emphasizing, "It is unacceptable that candidate Park, who did not participate in the unification at that time, filed an injunction with the court to prevent me from using the term 'moderate.'"

Candidate Kim claimed that during Park's tenure as superintendent, about 40 members from the progressive teachers' union or specific labor unions were specially hired as public officials, and that the chief secretary ignored the approval system and checked contents, creating a 'door handle system.'

Candidate Park said, "It is anachronistic to engage in ideological debates when we are busy preparing for future education after COVID-19," and "There is no evidence that only Kim Sang-kwon represents the center."

"I am a superintendent who embraces progressives, moderates, and conservatives alike, not someone who serves as superintendent with the support of a specific camp," he responded.

"The superintendent is a special appointment, fixed-term, and professional public official who works in harmony with general career public officials, but due to the desire to do better, relationships with career public officials can become uncomfortable," he said. "However, I believe that loyalty to the superintendent, whether fixed-term or special appointment, should be agreed upon by general public officials."

Candidate Kim pointed out, "The most important virtue in education is not to lie," criticizing Park's reversal on not running for a third term and his history of having his license revoked and fined for drunk driving in 2011.

In response, candidate Park said, "I sincerely apologize to the residents," adding, "COVID-19 occurred, and I decided to run to complete important work for Gyeongnam education."

Candidate Park Jong-hoon appealing for support.
[Image source=KBS News Gyeongnam YouTube screen capture]

Candidate Park Jong-hoon said, "The educational situation after COVID-19 is rapidly changing, and educational challenges are blocking the way. Is there any ideology such as moderate or conservative in education?" He sought support, saying, "If I must distinguish, I will be an integrated superintendent encompassing conservatives, moderates, and progressives, a future-oriented superintendent."

Candidate Kim Sang-kwon appealing for support. [Image source=KBS News Gyeongnam YouTube screenshot]

Candidate Kim Sang-kwon appealed, "Voters must have judged which candidate is the right person to restore the collapsed Gyeongnam education and open future education," adding, "Please choose Kim Sang-kwon, who achieved unification with the desperate determination that Gyeongnam education cannot be entrusted again to a candidate swayed by the progressive teachers' union's unofficial power and who broke promises."

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