Kim Sangkwon, Former Director of Education at Gyeongnam Office of Education, Announces Second Bid for Superintendent Election Next Year

Kim Sangkwon, former Director of Education at the Gyeongnam Office of Education, who ran against Superintendent Park Jonghoon in the 8th nationwide local elections for superintendent of education in 2022, has once again declared his candidacy.

On November 10, Kim held a press conference in the briefing room of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council and announced his intention to run for superintendent of education in next year's election.

He stated, "Three years ago, I ran for superintendent of education and lost by a margin of just 0.47%, or 6,750 votes, failing to realize my vision for reforming education in Gyeongnam. However, the support of 720,970 people was a stern mandate from the residents of Gyeongnam to restore our education system. I am standing here today to answer that call."

Sangkwon Kim, former Director of Education at Gyeongnam Office of Education, has announced his intention to run as a candidate for superintendent of education in the 2026 nationwide local elections. Photo by Seryeong Lee

Kim asserted, "Gyeongnam's education is now facing a major crisis. In the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test, the region ranked among the lowest nationwide in all areas-Korean, English, and Mathematics. The tablet PC project, which consumed nearly 160 billion won in budget, resulted only in confusion at schools, and the establishment of ineffective institutions led to wasteful spending."

He further emphasized, "Education is not a laboratory for political experimentation, but the most practical and serious field where the future of our children is at stake."

He pledged, "I will ensure that Gyeongnam's academic performance rises from the bottom nationwide, that teachers can educate with pride, and that schools across the province will flourish with unique and distinctive educational programs."

He also promised to implement the following: a system of accountability for basic academic achievement, protection of teachers' rights to teach, closing the educational gap between rural and urban areas, establishing a framework for nurturing future-oriented talent, and ensuring transparent educational administration.

Kim declared, "In next year's superintendent election, I will unite the conservative and centrist forces as a single candidate and secure victory. Having already proven my competitiveness, qualifications, and integrity in the previous election three years ago, I am confident that I will complete this mission."

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