Headline Winner Kim Dae-jung "Decided to Run for Superintendent to Improve Jeonnam Education"

Kim Dae-jung, the elected Superintendent of Education for Jeonnam, is greeting his supporters after his election was confirmed. Photo by Kim Dae-jung Election Office

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] In the June 1st 8th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections, Kim Dae-jung, who was elected as the Superintendent of Education of Jeonnam, created a sensation by pulling off an upset against the incumbent Superintendent Jang Seok-woong.

Kim Dae-jung, a native of Samgi, Gokseong, Jeonnam, grew up in an environment of faith and education from an early age, with a father who ran a Chinese character school and a mother known as a devout Christian who prayed for him.

Kim graduated from Tongmyeong Elementary School in Gokseong, attended Samgi Middle School and Dongsin High School, graduated from the Department of Philosophy at Chonnam National University, earned a master's degree from the Graduate School of Business Administration at Mokpo National University, and completed doctoral coursework in Korean Language and Literature at Mokpo Graduate School.

After graduating from university, he began his teaching career at Mokpo Jeongmyeong Girls' High School with great aspirations, but was dismissed after five years due to his involvement with the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU). During the Kim Young-sam administration, reinstatement was allowed on the condition of withdrawing from the KTU, but he refused. Afterwards, he became interested in politics to realize the true education movement.

Kim entered politics through various social activities and served three terms as a member and chairman of the Mokpo City Council.

While serving as chairman of the Mokpo City Council, he raised the issue of free school meals, which was difficult to implement at the time, causing a great stir. In addition, in 2003, as a member of the Jeonnam North-South Exchange Council, he visited Pyongyang to promote former President Kim Dae-jung's Sunshine Policy and emphasized the need for inter-Korean harmony.

He served as Secretary-General of the Mokpo YMCA, at the Mokpo Youth Training Center, and during the first and second direct election terms of the Superintendent of Education, he worked as the chief secretary of the Jeonnam Office of Education.

After being reinstated as a teacher at Mokpo Jeil Middle School in 2019 after 30 years, he decided to run for Superintendent of Education to improve problems in the school field.

Known for his experience in education, politics, and administration, Kim promised, "I decided to run for Superintendent of Education for Jeonnam education," and pledged, "As a superintendent who communicates and cooperates, I will definitely achieve a great transformation in Jeonnam education."

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