Controversy Over "Roh Moo-hyun Title" in Opinion Polls... Superintendent Lee Jungseon Also Refuses to Participate

Lee Jungseon: "Using Political Symbolism Politicizes Education"
Oh Kyungmi and Jung Sunghong: "Stop Using Former President's Name"
Kim Yongtae: "It's Just Part of My Life Experience, Not an Infringement on the Right to Know"

There is growing controversy surrounding the use of the title "Roh Moo-hyun Citizen School Principal" in opinion polls for the Gwangju Metropolitan Superintendent of Education election. The debate centers on whether this is an act of leveraging political symbolism or a legitimate part of one's life experience. The current superintendent, Lee Jungseon, has further fueled the controversy by stating, "I will not participate in such polls."

Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education

On September 6, Superintendent Lee released a statement titled "Strongly Rejecting Opinion Polls That Undermine the Fairness of the Superintendent Election," asserting, "A particular candidate's use of the title 'Roh Moo-hyun Citizen School Principal' is an act of appropriating political symbolism, politicizing education, and distorting public opinion, which is a serious problem." He further criticized, "Conducting opinion polls that target only two specific individuals, rather than all prospective candidates, also distorts diversity and limits citizens' judgment, making it an unfair polling method." He went on to say, "I will not participate in any opinion poll that has lost credibility under any circumstances," and emphasized, "Clear guidelines are needed that exclude political symbolism and allow all candidates to participate equally."

Previously, on September 4, Oh Kyungmi, former Director of Education at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, and Jung Sunghong, former head of the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, issued a joint statement expressing "deep concern that the election to select the superintendent responsible for education is being distorted by the name and influence of a particular politician." They pointed out, "A specific candidate's use of the title 'Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Gwangju Citizen School Principal' has caused their approval ratings to fluctuate dramatically." The two argued, "Including the name of a former president in one's career and using it in opinion polls politicizes education and undermines the fairness of the election," and called on the National Election Commission to issue clear guidelines.

In response, Kim Yongtae, former head of the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, who used the title in question, countered, "My experience as Citizen School Principal for the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Gwangju Regional Committee is the result of my accumulated life and a legitimate career that I can proudly present," adding, "There is nothing problematic under the Public Official Election Act." He highlighted his background in the democratization movement, activities with the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, and participation in the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education's May 18 Public Education Special Committee, emphasizing, "A candidate's career is an important factor for voters to evaluate, and pressuring opinion polls infringes on citizens' right to know."

Kim also added, "Gwangju's education system is in urgent need of major change due to personnel corruption, declining integrity, poor finances, and a shortage of teachers," and stated, "I will move forward not for personal ambition, but for the educational cause demanded by civil society."