Gwangju Education and Civic Groups: "Superintendent Nomination Led by Citizens"

Over 20 Organizations, Including the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Join the Initiative

Educational and civic organizations in Gwangju have begun efforts to nominate a single candidate through a "citizen nomination" process ahead of next year’s Gwangju Superintendent of Education election.

On the morning of the 30th, about 20 organizations including the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union Gwangju Branch, Gwangju Teachers Union, and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council. Photo by Song Bohyun

On October 30, about 20 organizations, including the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union Gwangju Branch, Gwangju Teachers Union, and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council and officially proposed the formation of a tentatively named "Gwangju Democratic, Progressive, and Civic Superintendent Candidate Citizen Nomination Committee."

They stated, "Gwangju’s education system has lost public trust due to a lack of communication with schools, performative budget spending, poor working conditions, and personnel corruption." They also criticized the current administration, saying, "The Yoon Suk Yeol government has uncritically accepted anti-educational policies, and both democratic citizenship education and human rights education have regressed." Furthermore, they emphasized, "Educational administration, which should be clean and transparent, has been tainted by personnel corruption, and related public officials have received prison sentences. Gwangju’s education is now in crisis," appealing for citizen participation to restore normalcy in education.

The organizations asserted, "Given that political parties do not nominate candidates for the superintendent election, a citizen-led nomination process is necessary," adding, "With the power of the people, we will directly nominate a 'democratic, progressive, and civic superintendent candidate.'" Once the participating organizations are confirmed, the committee plans to establish and announce candidate nomination regulations and begin recruiting candidates.

They also declared, "We will not stop at nominating a candidate but will continue with active efforts to ensure their election. After the election, we will set an example of public-private governance by having citizens directly monitor and participate in the fulfillment of campaign promises."

They concluded, "Just as Gwangju defended democracy in Korea in May 1980, this time, let us open a new path for Korean education with 'Gwangju-style education.' Through a superintendent election led by citizens, we will establish the foundation for sustainable democratic education in Gwangju."

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