[6·3 Election] Kim Haeryong Announces Candidacy for Superintendent of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Education

Kim Haeryong, a prospective candidate who declared his candidacy for Superintendent of Education in the Jeonnam·Gwangju Metropolitan Integrated Special City election, has made a surprise announcement of a unification agreement with fellow prospective candidates Ko Dugap and Lee Jungseon, taking the initiative in shaping the early stages of the election landscape.

On April 20, at a press conference held at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, Kim stated, "I will put an end to performative political education and restore the essence of education," officially declaring his candidacy.

Kim Haeryong, prospective candidate

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The main topic of the press conference was undoubtedly 'candidate unification.' Kim announced, "I have reached an agreement to unify candidacies with Ko Dugap and Lee Jungseon, as we share the same educational philosophy and agree that we must prevent the politicization of education." He added, "I have also proposed unification to Kang Sukyeong, but a decision has not yet been made."

At the event, Kim also presented five key pledges outlining his vision for integrated education in Jeonnam·Gwangju under the slogan "Education that Protects, Elevates, and Nurtures."

The main pledges include: ▲Creating 20,000 education-related jobs by connecting schools, local communities, and industries ▲Establishing the Jeonnam Gwangju Curriculum Research Institute to implement a basic academic achievement accountability system and build a comprehensive pathway for both career and admissions preparation ▲Setting up regional Artificial Intelligence (AI) education centers ▲Fostering a virtuous cycle for employment and local settlement linked to regional industries, including advanced technology in Gwangju, marine and energy industries in the eastern region of Jeonnam, and agri-bio and RE100 initiatives in the western region ▲Introducing a three-education office system for Gwangju, the eastern region, and the western region to suit the integrated administration.

In particular, Kim expressed his strong commitment to improving academic achievement. He asserted, "Through a balanced system that not only focuses on early admission but also prepares for regular admissions, I will ensure Jeonnam overcomes its reputation as being at the bottom in the College Scholastic Ability Test rankings." He also promised, "AI is not a tool to replace teachers, but to empower them further," and pledged to establish character education centered on relationships, built upon advanced technological foundations.

With Jeonnam and Gwangju set to merge for a major upcoming election, attention is focused on how Kim’s 'unification strategy' and 'practical pledges linked to the region' will sway voters in the Integrated Special City.

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