"People Power Party Education Advisor Appointment?"... Teachers Protest 'Absurd Messages' (Comprehensive)

Mass Texts Sent Without Prior Consent
Politically Neutral Teachers Say "We Were Exploited"
People Power Party Responds with Dismissal and Apology

The election committee of the People Power Party is facing controversy after it was revealed that a large number of appointment letters for special advisors to the presidential candidate were sent to ordinary citizens, including some teachers and journalists, without prior consent.

As it became known that teachers, whose political activities are restricted, were also included, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) strongly protested, stating, "This is an act that infringes on teachers' political neutrality and basic rights."

According to reports compiled on May 21 by the Gwangju branch of the KTU and Asia Economy, there have been a series of reports from teachers in the Gwangju area who received text messages under the name of the People Power Party's Central Election Committee appointing them as 'Special Advisors for Education.' It was confirmed that these messages were sent from the official number of the People Power Party headquarters.

Appointment letter sent to a certain teacher under the name of the People Power Party's election committee. Provided by the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU).

A KTU representative stated, "Sending appointment letters for special advisors to teachers, whose political expression is legally restricted, without any prior consent is a clear case of political exploitation." The representative added, "Using teachers, whose basic rights are already limited, as a tool for election image promotion must be strongly condemned." The KTU also specifically pointed out the issue of appointment letters being sent to teachers who are not members of the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA).

As the controversy spread, the People Power Party issued an apology on the same day, stating, "We sincerely apologize for causing inconvenience by sending messages without prior consent." The party added, "The individual who provided mobile phone numbers for appointment recommendations will be dismissed from all party positions, including the election committee, and additional measures will be taken." The party also stated that all personal information provided by this individual has been destroyed.

Text message appointing 'Special Advisor to Candidate Kim Moonsoo' sent under the name of the People Power Party Central Election Committee. Provided by the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU).

The KTU is preparing a nationwide joint statement to bring public attention to the issue of guaranteeing teachers' basic political rights, while also calling for a thorough investigation into how personal information was leaked in this case.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party has countered by claiming that the Democratic Party is also indiscriminately sending out appointment letters for special advisors under the name of its presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung. The party stated that a vice-chairperson of its Gwangju branch recently received an appointment letter under Lee's name, arguing, "The Democratic Party is not free from the same problem."

People Power Party Gwangju Branch. Photo by Song Bohyun

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