[6.3 Election] Eight Progressive Former Superintendents from JeonGyoJo Declare Support for Jang Ganhon

Former JeonGyoJo Superintendents Gather Nationwide

Call for a Major Transformation in Education for the Era of Integration

On the afternoon of May 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., eight progressive former superintendents of education, all with backgrounds in the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (JeonGyoJo), held a press conference in the briefing room of the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education. They officially declared their support for Jang Ganhon, candidate for Superintendent of Education for the Integrated Special City of Jeonnam-Gwangju.

The eight participants in the endorsement were Kwak Nohyun and Cho Heeyeon (former Seoul superintendents), Kim Sanggon and Lee Jaejung (former Gyeonggi Province superintendents), Kim Byungwoo (former Chungbuk superintendent), Min Byunghee (former Gangwon superintendent), Jang Seokwoong (former Jeonnam superintendent), and Jang Hwigook (former Gwangju superintendent). All of them rose to their superintendent positions through their involvement with JeonGyoJo, and they are considered key figures in the so-called "JeonGyoJo Superintendent Era," which led the progressive education movement.

Eight progressive superintendents of education from the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union officially declared their support for Jang Kwanho, the candidate for the Superintendent of Education of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified Metropolitan City. Photo provided by the candidate's team.

Former superintendents Jang Hwigook and Jang Seokwoong served as the main speakers at the press conference. Both are also from JeonGyoJo and previously led progressive education policy as heads of the Gwangju and Jeonnam education offices, respectively.

"Jang Ganhon, a Prepared Candidate to Realize Integrated Education"

The endorsement statement presented by the group diagnosed the current crisis facing Jeonnam and Gwangju education and emphasized the need for change. The statement pointed out, "Jeonnam and Gwangju education are facing a complex crisis, including declining school-age population, falling basic academic achievement, and worsening student mental health."

They continued, "The happiness index of Korean youth ranks among the lowest in the OECD, and the number of students attempting self-harm or suicide is increasing in the Jeonnam region, making fundamental change in education urgently needed." They also noted, "Private education expenditures have surpassed 29 trillion won, reaching an all-time high, and the integrity of the local education offices remains among the lowest in the nation," stressing that "corrupt administration and outdated educational methods cannot meet the needs of future education."

The former JeonGyoJo superintendents stated, "Now is the time to move beyond test score-based, ranking-centric education and shift to education that centers on the life and growth of each individual student." They added, "Jang Ganhon is a candidate who deeply understands the realities of schools and is well-prepared to realize the vision of integrated education."

They further emphasized, "In this era of integration between Gwangju and Jeonnam, a new educational paradigm is needed—one that connects urban and rural, coastal, and fishing communities, as well as students, teachers, and parents." They stressed that Jang Ganhon is "the right person to realize 'living education' that links the region’s culture, ecology, and industry." As directions for Jeonnam and Gwangju education, they proposed: ▲public education without discrimination ▲strengthening education for democratic citizenship ▲integrated education reflecting regional characteristics.

This endorsement is drawing attention as it marks a public declaration of support for a specific candidate, with former JeonGyoJo superintendents gathering from across the country—including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Chungbuk, Gangwon, Jeonnam, and Gwangju.

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