An Minseok: "I Will Create Schools Students Look Forward to Attending"...Kickoff for Major Transformation of Gyeonggi Education at Seohyeon Station

An Minseok, Candidate for Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education, Holds Kickoff Rally at Seohyeon Station in Seongnam
Presents Five Key Pledges Including Expanded Education Budget and Restoration of Teachers' Rights
"Education Expert with Drive, Launching a Major Transformation in Gyeonggi Education"
Standing Co-Chairs Park Hyojin and Sung Giseon Join the Campaign Trail

An Minseok, the unified candidate of the Democratic Progressive faction for Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education, held a kickoff rally at Seohyeon Station in Seongnam on the morning of the 21st and officially launched his election campaign, pledging to "create schools that students look forward to attending."

Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party, Minseok An, held a launch rally on the morning of the 21st and officially started his election campaign. Photo by Minseok An

At the kickoff rally held in front of Exit 5 of Seohyeon Station that morning, candidate An stated, "I am taking the first step toward a major transformation in Gyeonggi education, starting here in Seongnam, which has always been the starting point for change in Gyeonggi-do."

He also declared, "I will take the lead in building schools where children ask questions, teachers instruct without fear, and parents feel secure, and where even in the AI era, education remains centered on people. I will transform education in Gyeonggi Province and open the way for an education revolution in Korea."

In particular, An highlighted his expertise and drive in the field of education, stating, "Before I was a politician, I was an educator. I was born the son of a teacher, met children as a teacher myself, taught students as a professor, and as the longest-serving member of the National Assembly's Education Committee, I have overseen the field of education firsthand. Education does not change with words alone; it requires drive, on-site experience, and political acumen."

He continued, "I am the person who can protect the education budget, restore teachers' rights through legislation, and coordinate with the National Assembly, the government, and local governments. Thirteen years ago, survival swimming was considered more difficult than picking a star from the sky, but I started it at a small school in Osan and made it a mandatory program for 1.23 million children across Korea. I was also the one who proposed and pushed through free school meals, which everyone said was impossible, to Superintendent Kim Sang-gon and secured it in the National Assembly."

Finally, An urged, "When Gyeonggi-do changes, education in Korea will change. Gyeonggi-do must become the starting point for Korea's education revolution. Let us work together in Gyeonggi Province to create a school where children look forward to attending, teachers teach without fear, parents feel reassured, and people remain at the center of education even in the AI era."

At the rally, standing co-chairs Park Hyojin and Sung Giseon also joined the campaign, marking the unified campaign team's official launch. Park Hyojin, standing co-chair, said, "I am now confident that Gyeonggi education can truly change. We need a new leader to end the crisis of more schools giving up on experiential learning, field trips, and sports festivals. That leader is An Minseok, who makes decisions, drives action, and delivers results."

Taking the podium next, standing co-chair Sung Giseon stated, "Over the past four years, Gyeonggi education has suffered serious setbacks and anti-educational policies that have made things difficult in the field. We need a new superintendent who can guarantee a future for our children, and that new superintendent will be An Minseok."

An also presented his five key pledges for transforming Gyeonggi education. First, he pledged to "break down administrative barriers and secure a significantly larger education budget," promising to create a structure in which 5% of local government budgets are invested in education. He also unveiled the "Seed Education Fund" initiative, which would provide a 1 million won fund to every first-year middle school student.

Regarding the restoration of teachers' rights, he promised to "be the guardian angel who protects teachers in tears," pledging to restore teachers' civil rights, introduce exemption clauses for accidents during field trips, and implement a safe insurance ordinance. He also emphasized the introduction of "LAS Education," which combines literacy, arts and culture, and sports, to move beyond the outdated multiple-choice entrance exams and establish a Gyeonggi-style holistic education.

Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party, Minseok Ahn, held a kickoff rally on the morning of the 21st and officially began election campaigning. Photo by Minseok Ahn

Finally, An stated, "I will become a 'hand warmer' superintendent who warmly embraces special needs students, students with ADHD, slow learners, and those from migrant backgrounds. When Gyeonggi-do changes, education in Korea will change. I promise to make the era of education that residents have dreamed of a reality."

Supporters and citizens gathered at the rally site early in the morning, boosting the enthusiasm for the first campaign event of the main race. Participants chanted An's name and "Major Transformation of Gyeonggi Education," lending their support to the unified campaign team's launch.

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