Jeonnam Teachers’ Union Changes Name to “Jeonnam-Gwangju Teachers’ Union”

As the administrative integration of South Jeolla Province and Gwangju Metropolitan City accelerates the launch of the “Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City,” the Jeonnam Teachers’ Labor Union has taken proactive steps to reorganize in preparation for seismic changes in the educational field.

The Jeonnam Teachers’ Labor Union announced on April 27 that it will change its organizational name to the “Jeonnam-Gwangju Teachers’ Labor Union” (abbreviated as Jeonnam-Gwangju Teachers’ Union), in order to respond proactively to upcoming structural changes in educational administration and the school environment, and to more broadly protect teachers’ rights and interests.

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This name change is seen not just as a simple rebranding, but as a responsible decision by the union to represent teachers’ voices more effectively amid a changing educational landscape.

The union pointed out that while administrative integration is expected to bring positive effects such as greater educational opportunities and increased administrative efficiency, it could also create considerable burdens at the school level. The union expressed concern that disparities in educational conditions between regions, changes in assignment and placement criteria, and confusion stemming from administrative system reorganization could lead to worsening working conditions for teachers, increased workload, and a reduction in welfare.

Accordingly, the Jeonnam-Gwangju Teachers’ Union emphasized, “Educational policy should be designed with teachers and schools at its core, not for administrative convenience. Even after integration, we will continue to propose policies that reflect the voices from the field and maintain our role in monitoring to ensure that teachers can focus on educational activities.”

In particular, the Jeonnam-Gwangju Teachers’ Union plans to actively leverage its strength as the only union in the Jeonnam and Gwangju regions affiliated with the Korean Federation of Teachers’ Unions. By strengthening close ties with this upper-level organization, the union intends to reinforce nationwide policy responses and support, while systematically improving local teachers’ working conditions and welfare.

Since its founding in March 2020, the union has continued field-oriented activities. Major achievements include signing a collective agreement in 2020 (with 204 provisions), policy consultations in 2024 (28 cases), policy consultations in 2025 (43 cases), and most recently, successfully agreeing to 47 policy consultations on April 24, 2026.

A union official stated, “During the upcoming administrative integration process, we will dedicate all our resources to strongly ensure that teachers’ working conditions and welfare are not diminished.”

Meanwhile, the Jeonnam-Gwangju Teachers’ Union will expand its membership from teachers in South Jeolla Province to all teachers belonging to the Integrated Special City starting July 1, when the “Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City” is officially launched. Through this, the union aims to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among teachers beyond regional and administrative boundaries, and to serve as a strong safeguard for the rights and interests of the entire educational community.

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