Jeonnam Education Superintendent Election, Jang Seok-woong vs Kim Dae-jung Expected to Clash

by Lee Jungkyung

Published 01 Jun.2021 13:31(KST)

Updated 18 Aug.2025 09:05(KST)

Candidates Expected to Run for Jeonnam Superintendent of Education (in alphabetical order)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] The movements of candidates for the Jeonnam Superintendent of Education, to be held in the 8th nationwide simultaneous local elections on June 1 next year, are drawing keen attention from education officials.

Following the declaration by former Superintendent Jang Man-chae, who was expected to be a strong candidate, that he will "boldly give up running for superintendent to support Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's presidential bid," the swift moves of education figures are also attracting attention.

So far, current Superintendent Jang Seok-woong and former Secretary General to Jang Man-chae, Kim Dae-jung, have clearly expressed their intention to run, making their actions the main point of contention.

Jang Seok-woong, who served as the national chairman of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (JeonGyoJo) and was elected superintendent in 2018, is a first-generation JeonGyoJo member who practiced true education as a regular teacher for 37 years.

Under the slogan "No child will be left behind," Superintendent Jang has led the expansion of school democracy and classroom teaching innovation, ranking first nationwide for 24 consecutive months in the nationwide city and provincial superintendents' job performance evaluation by the polling agency Realmeter.

In particular, his ambitiously prepared "Rural Agricultural and Fishing Village Study Abroad Program" has been noted as a solution to save rural schools facing closure due to the population cliff and declining student numbers.

Superintendent Jang has the advantage of the incumbent premium, and if he maximizes this in his election strategy, he is likely to gain a favorable position.

Former Secretary General Kim Dae-jung is expected to resign from his teaching position around July to August, when the first half of this year ends, and then officially announce his stance on running for superintendent.

Kim has held various positions including the youngest chairman of Mokpo City Council, secretary general of Mokpo YMCA, and inaugural executive committee chairman of the Jeonnam Education Hope Solidarity. He has also run twice for the National Assembly.

Notably, Kim was the practical manager who led the election organization during former Superintendent Jang Man-chae's tenure. Through diverse experiences, he accurately understands the flow of Jeonnam education and is highly regarded for his excellent political sense, establishing a solid footing.

Additionally, both candidates share the commonality of being former dismissed teachers from JeonGyoJo and first-generation colleagues who advocated for true education.

Although Superintendent Jang Seok-woong has been somewhat relieved by former Superintendent Jang Man-chae's withdrawal, he remains vigilant. This is because former Superintendent Jang expressed his willingness to "actively cooperate anytime if a candidate who will properly establish Jeonnam education emerges" to prevent Jang Seok-woong's re-election.

A source in the Jeonnam education community said, "There are rumors that Superintendent Jang is secretly reaching out to Governor Lee Jae-myung to block the biggest obstacle, former Superintendent Jang Man-chae's moves," adding, "If former Superintendent Jang, who has a strong organizational base in the eastern region, joins forces with a candidate opposing the current superintendent and supports them, there is no guarantee that the election will favor the incumbent."

Meanwhile, besides the two candidates who have officially started their campaigns, names such as former Vice Superintendent Jeong Byeong-geol, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Speaker Lee Ho-gyun, Mokpo Maritime University President Park Seong-hyun, and former JeonGyoJo Chairman Cho Chang-ik are also being mentioned for next year's Jeonnam Superintendent of Education election.