An Minseok: "The Democracy Protected by the Revolution of Light Must Continue Through Education Transformation"

15 Democratic and Progressive Superintendent Candidates Nationwide
Announce Joint Pledge for Education Transformation
"More Human-Centered and Democratic Education Needed in the Age of AI"

An Minseok, the unified Democratic and Progressive candidate for Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education, attended the '2026 Democratic and Progressive Superintendent Candidates’ Education Transformation Joint Pledge Press Conference' held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on May 12, and stated, "We must carry forward the spirit of democracy, which was protected by the revolution of light, through this education transformation."

Gyeonggi Provincial Superintendent of Education candidate An Minseok, the unified candidate for the Democratic and Progressive parties, announced the '2026 Education Great Transformation Joint Pledge' together with Democratic and Progressive superintendent candidates nationwide on the 12th at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Photo provided by candidate An Minseok

At the press conference, 15 Democratic and Progressive superintendent candidates from across the country gathered to announce the '2026 Education Transformation Joint Pledge,' which includes easing entrance exam competition, normalizing public education, dismantling the university hierarchy system, eliminating high school rankings, reducing educational inequality, strengthening democratic citizenship education, and expanding ecological and AI education.

An Minseok remarked, "Gwanghwamun is a symbolic place in Korea where democracy was protected by the power of its citizens," and added, "The candlelight was more than just a force to change administrations—it represented the power of democracy, where each citizen asked questions, participated, and changed the future of the community together."

He particularly emphasized, "Gyeonggi Province is the largest educational field in Korea, home to about a quarter of the nation's population," and pledged, "We will be the first to open the path of education transformation starting from Gyeonggi, and set a new standard for future education." He further stressed, "Gyeonggi will take the lead in opening the path for Korea's education transformation."

He also stated, "Although artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are rapidly changing the world, our education system still remains focused on competition and ranking, rooted in the past," and continued, "As technology advances, values such as humanity, democracy, coexistence, and collaboration are becoming even more important."

An Minseok said, "During my 20 years of service on the National Assembly Education Committee, I have closely observed both the possibilities and limitations of Korean education, and I have also witnessed how AI and digital transformation are rapidly changing education globally." He pledged, "I will make Gyeonggi education the starting point of Korea’s education transformation."

He especially highlighted, "We cannot cultivate future talent for the AI era through education that lines children up by test scores," and emphasized, "AI education should not be limited to teaching digital devices; it must nurture the ability to question, debate, and think independently, as well as respect for human dignity, creativity, and critical thinking."

He continued, "Democracy is not just a sentence in a textbook—it must be a value that lives and breathes within our schools." He promised, "I will create schools where students’ rights and learning rights, teachers’ educational rights and autonomy, and the participation of parents and local communities are all guaranteed together."

An Minseok presented the following as the core directions for future Gyeonggi education: ▲ Establishing an AI education system ▲ Innovating classes centered on questions and discussion ▲ Strengthening democratic citizenship education ▲ Restoring students’ mental health ▲ Expanding one-person-one-sport, one-person-one-instrument, and reading education ▲ Reducing educational gaps ▲ Reinforcing tailored public education.

He also said, "Both children and parents are becoming exhausted by entrance exam competition and the burden of private education," and continued, "Starting with Gyeonggi education, we will shift from competition-centered education to growth-centered education, transforming education to help discover the potential of each and every child."

An Minseok stressed, "If Gyeonggi education changes, Korean education will change." He declared, "We will set a new standard for future education and stand at the center of education transformation from Gyeonggi, the largest educational field in Korea."

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