Park Jong-hoon, Gyeongnam Superintendent of Education, 'Refutes' Reform of Current Direct Election System for Superintendents... "Cannot Agree to Change Because It Becomes Opaque"

Park Jong-hoon, Superintendent of Education of Gyeongnam, speaking at the policy debate on the reform of the superintendent election system held at the National Assembly.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Voices are emerging for reforming the superintendent of education election, often called a ‘blind election’ because it is held without party affiliation or candidate numbers.

Compared to local government head elections, voter interest is relatively low, and it was confirmed through the election commission that 903,227 invalid votes were cast in the nationwide superintendent of education elections during the simultaneous local elections last June, prompting some political circles to call for system reform.

At a policy forum on reforming the superintendent of education election system held at the National Assembly on the 28th, opinions were raised to change the current superintendent election to a party nomination system, an indirect election through school operation committees within the respective city or province, or a presidential appointment system.

The forum, hosted by the office of National Assembly member Kang Deuk-gu and the Education Policy Design Institute, was based on survey results from 18,000 education stakeholders including students, parents, teachers, and education professionals regarding the reform of the superintendent election system.

Park Jong-hoon, Superintendent of Education of Gyeongnam, stated at the forum, “There is no better system than the current direct election of superintendents.”

Superintendent Park said, “Although there are limitations and problems such as lack of interest in the current superintendent election and excessive election costs, we must consider the positive functions that the introduction of the direct election system has had on the development of local education.”

“If it were not for the direct election of superintendents, it would have been difficult to expect superintendents to listen to the opinions of parents, faculty, and students regarding education,” he said, adding, “We need to gather opinions to preserve the purpose and intent of the direct election system regardless of vested interests.”

He explained, “While working with 18 cities and counties in Gyeongnam and the Happy Education District Project, we have established over 300 Happy Village Schools and are expanding center-type village schools. Education is carried out not only by those with teaching certificates but by all adults who have a positive influence on children.”

He continued, “Through Happy Village Schools and lifelong education programs, we aim to engage not only school-age elementary, middle, and high school students but everyone in education, overcoming the ‘blindness.’ I cannot agree with the idea of holding elections only with school operation committees or parents just because it is a blind election,” he argued.

Superintendent Park added, “In Gyeongnam, every place in the province becomes an educational site and a school. By expanding and restoring the educational ecosystem, we can broaden the consensus on the importance of education.”

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