[6.3 Election] Jang Kwanho Selected as Unified Progressive-Democratic Superintendent Candidate

Defeats Jeong Seong-hong in Primary to Become Final Unified Candidate
Overcomes Last-Minute Struggles Over "Population-Based Adjustment Factor"

Jang Kwan-ho, former head of the Jeonnam branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, has been finally selected as the unified candidate for the 'Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City Superintendent of Education' representing the progressive and democratic camp. Overcoming the intense conflict over the population-based adjustment factor that lasted until the very end, the two sides achieved a dramatic agreement, resulting in the main race for the June 3 local election superintendent post being reorganized into a five-way contest.

According to the Democratic Progressive Superintendent Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Nomination Committee on May 3, Jang Kwan-ho, who was nominated by the Jeonnam Provincial Citizens' Nomination Committee, was chosen as the unified candidate after a 100% public opinion poll competition against Jeong Seong-hong, the former head of the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, who was the nominee of the Gwangju Citizens' Nomination Committee.

Jang Man-ho, former head of the Jeonnam branch of the Korea Teachers and Education Workers Union, was finally selected as the unified candidate for the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City Superintendent of Education representing the progressive and democratic camp. Photo provided by the candidate's side

◆Overcoming the Last-Minute "Population-Based Adjustment Factor" Standoff...A Month-Long Unification Process Concludes

The unification discussion between the two sides began on March 30, when Jeong Seong-hong officially proposed integration. On April 8, both parties held a joint press conference at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education to declare their commitment to unification. This was followed by an agreement on April 14 to use a 100% public opinion poll method and the launch of the integrated nomination committee on April 16, accelerating the process.

However, the final variable was the "population-based adjustment factor." Due to the difference in the number of voters between Gwangju and Jeonnam, the calculation method could lead to a significant advantage or disadvantage for each side.

The two camps—Jang's, based in Jeonnam, and Jeong's, based in Gwangju—were sharply divided, and at one point, the process was at risk of breaking down. However, under the shared goal of "restoring trust in education," the sides managed to reach a compromise through mutual concessions and negotiation.

◆The Main Election Challenge: Winning Over Gwangju Voters...Focusing on "Judicial Risk" as a Key Issue

The main election strategy for unified candidate Jang Kwan-ho is expected to center on highlighting the "judicial risks" of incumbent superintendents, aiming to consolidate progressive votes.

With the successful unification, the main race now features a five-way contest: Jang Kwan-ho, incumbent Jeonnam Superintendent Kim Daejung, Lee Jeongseon—selected through unification among the three candidates Godugap, Kim Haeryong, and Lee Jeongseon—and also Kang Sookyoung and Choi Daewook, the former vice president of the Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations.

The greatest remaining challenge for Jang is improving his recognition among Gwangju voters. Observers point out that unless he can shed the label of being the Jeonnam-backed candidate and fully win over the progressive voters in Gwangju, where the population is higher, he may struggle in the main election.

A local political source commented, "Given the intense rivalry during the unification process, the biggest test of this unification's impact will be whether Jang can prevent Jeong Seong-hong's supporters from defecting and achieve a true 'chemical combination' among the camps."

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