Yoo Daekyun, Head of Education Love Platform, Announces Candidacy for Gangwon Superintendent of Education

by Lee jonggu

Published 27 Jan.2026 20:39(KST)

Yoo Daekyun, head of the Education Love Platform and former Deputy Minister of Education, has officially announced his candidacy for the Gangwon Provincial Superintendent of Education election in the 9th Nationwide Local Elections.

Yoo Daekyun, former Deputy Minister of Education, held a press conference in the briefing room on the first floor of the Gangwon Provincial Office of Education and officially announced his candidacy for the Gangwon Provincial Superintendent of Education election to be held on June 3.

Yoo stated, "I will use my 40 years and six months of experience in education to set Gangwon education on the right path and lead it toward the future and the world, correcting the current disorder in Gangwon's educational system."

He continued, "Gangwon education has lost public trust due to conflict and division, and we are failing to properly address educational inequality in the era of low birth rates or to prepare for nurturing future talent in the Fourth Industrial Revolution." He added, "I will close the classrooms of ideology and open classrooms for competence, restoring pride in Gangwon education by listening to voices from the field rather than applying biased ideological standards."

Yoo strongly criticized the current state of Gangwon education, saying, "Education in Gangwon is trapped in biased ideology and factional logic, neglecting the cultivation of future talent." Under the slogan "Close the classrooms of ideology and open classrooms for competence," he presented major pledges such as the introduction of the Gangwon-style International Baccalaureate (K-IB) program, the establishment of regional AI Creative and Convergence Creator Centers, the creation of a Gangwon-style educational responsibility safety net (Dundun Fence) one-stop support system, and the implementation of a participatory budgeting system for the educational community.

He emphasized, "The role of the superintendent is not to engage in politics, but to empower children for their future lives," and added, "It is time to close the classrooms of ideology and open future classrooms that foster the strength children need to live."

He also said, "In my previous attempt, I was somewhat inexperienced with the election mechanism, but I am grateful that more than 21% of the residents supported me." He continued, "I will meet the expectations of the residents who hope that Gangwon education will be properly established and move forward into the future."

In the 8th Nationwide Local Elections held on June 1, 2022, Yoo recorded a vote share of 21.01%, finishing third behind Shin Kyungho (29.51%) and Kang Samyoung, Executive Representative of the National Education Autonomy Innovation Solidarity (22.96%).

Regarding the possibility of candidate unification, Yoo stated, "I view it positively and will cooperate," suggesting that coordination among moderate and conservative candidates will likely determine the outcome of the election.

Yoo is planning a publication celebration event in February and is expected to officially enter the election race after registering as a preliminary candidate.