Former Jeonnam Education Superintendent Candidate Kim Dae-jung "Welcomes Opponent's Payment of 2 Million Won"

Candidate Kim Dae-jung for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Candidate Kim Dae-jung for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education issued a statement on the 25th regarding candidate Jang Seok-woong’s pledge to provide 2 million won for educational activity support expenses, saying, “I actively welcome the recognition of the current educational reality in Jeonnam and the decision to provide up to 2 million won in student educational activity support expenses, a concept similar to my education basic income.”

Candidate Kim emphasized, “It is belated but welcome that the pledge to provide 2 million won was announced, moving away from the previous attitude of mocking it as an ‘empty promise’ due to the lack of legal grounds and budget.”

He added, “As the region is disappearing and schools are gradually closing, just complaining about budgets and regulations would be a sin against history. I positively accept the pledge to strengthen cooperation with local governments to secure the budget.”

Candidate Kim also pointed out, “The welfare pledge is somewhat disappointing as it appears to be a collection and slight expansion of policies already in place. While announcing the 2 million won pledge, there was no apology for the previous remarks calling it an ‘empty promise’ and ‘mocking the residents.’ Even now, there should be an apology for the critical views on the education basic income.”

Candidate Kim Dae-jung announced a pledge to provide Jeonnam Education Basic Income on April 18.

This pledge promises to provide 2.4 million won annually, 200,000 won per month per student, starting with elementary students in 16 regions at risk of extinction.

Candidate Kim argued, “The education basic income should later be expanded and guaranteed as a self-customized income for students as education consumers, tied to total amount and volume.”

In response, candidate Jang Seok-woong criticized, “The education basic income pledge is an unrealistic empty promise.”

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