[6.3 Election] Superintendent Race Marred by "Black Propaganda"... Parents Voice "Disappointment"

Jeongseon Lee: "Illegal Casino, Gambling"... Provocative Claims at Press Conference

Daejung Kim: "Clear Black Propaganda"... Announces Legal Action

"Stop the Fighting, Talk About Policies"... Parents Speak with One Voice

"The superintendent election shouldn't be like this."

The disappointment was clear in the words of Parent A (age 40), whom we met in front of an elementary school in Gwangju on the morning of May 7, 2026. In what is being called a historic election—marking the integration of educational administration between Gwangju and Jeonnam for the first time in 40 years—the focus has shifted from policy visions to a series of negative campaigns.

On this day, the coalition of Jungseon Lee, Kim Haeryong, and Dogudap held a press conference, raising so-called 'gambling allegations' against Daejung Kim, candidate for Superintendent of Education for the Jeonnam-Gwangju Metropolitan City. At the press conference, provocative terms such as 'illegal casino' and 'illegal gambling establishment' were repeatedly used.

Jungseon Lee (center), a preliminary candidate for Superintendent of Education of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeonnam, held a press conference with former preliminary candidates Dogudap and Kim Haeryong at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education on the morning of the 7th, raising gambling allegations against preliminary candidate Daejung Kim. Photo provided by the candidate's side

The campaign of candidate Daejung Kim immediately issued a statement refuting the allegations, saying, "This is a clear case of black propaganda and a malicious negative campaign aimed at dragging the superintendent election into the mud."

According to the campaign's explanation, the core location at the center of the allegations was actually a hotel facility used as accommodation during a business trip. The campaign argued that portraying this as if the candidate had visited an illegal gambling den amounts to "serious defamation and the blatant dissemination of false information."

The campaign especially emphasized that candidate Kim had already issued a public apology to the citizens and residents for this matter several days ago. They argued that, despite Kim having taken moral responsibility and apologized, the opposing side has revived the issue to disrupt the election atmosphere.

The campaign made it clear that they would respond firmly, stating, "We will pursue zero-tolerance legal action against the spreading of false information and acts of defamation." They also indicated that they are reviewing whether Article 250 (Crime of Publishing False Facts) and Article 251 (Crime of Defaming a Candidate) of the Public Official Election Act may apply in this case.

◆ Last-Minute 'Morality Offensive'... Is This a Typical Negative Strategy?

The coalition's last-minute focus on moral attacks is seen as a classic election tactic aimed at swaying voter sentiment in a short period of time. The problem is that, in the process, provocative expressions that have not been thoroughly fact-checked are being used, resulting in serious damage to the candidate's reputation.

The campaign of candidate Kim Daejung for the Jeonnam-Gwangju integrated education superintendent hinted at a zero-tolerance legal response to candidate Lee Jungseon's 'gambling allegations.' Provided by the candidate's team

Such concerns have already been detected in the field of education. Since the beginning of the election, the education community has noted that, rather than a festive atmosphere, there was more of a sense of caution regarding excessive competition. As the election entered its final phase, these concerns have become a reality.

There is a broad consensus both within and outside the education community that the superintendent election should focus on substantive education issues—such as educational philosophy in schools, safeguarding the learning rights of local students, and the direction of teacher policies. However, as the morality debate has overtaken the election, opportunities for voters to compare policies have been pushed to the background.

Voices of concern are also growing among civic groups. Parent B from Gwangju said, "Baseless black propaganda ultimately only leaves scars on the citizens and education community," and appealed, "At least for the remainder of the election, I hope candidates will stop wasteful mudslinging and return to a policy competition for the future of education in Jeonnam and Gwangju."

Local political circles analyze that as the election heats up and the standards for scrutiny become more rigorous, voter sentiment may shift toward candidate risks beyond just policy pledges. If the disputes escalate to legal action, the election is expected to become even more heated.

With about 27 days remaining until the June 3 local elections, the most critical turning point to decide the first superintendent of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Metropolitan City is approaching. All eyes are on whether, in the remaining campaign period, the candidates will engage in a true policy contest.

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