Former Kyungpook National University President Kim Sangdong Announces Candidacy for Gyeongbuk Superintendent of Education, Open to Candidate Unification

by Gu Daeseon

Published 09 Dec.2025 15:22(KST)

Kim Sangdong (66), former president of Kyungpook National University, has announced his candidacy for Gyeongbuk Superintendent of Education.

Kim stated that he will hold a press conference to announce his candidacy for Gyeongbuk Superintendent of Education at the Gyeongbuk Office of Education at 10:30 a.m. on December 11.

Sangdong Kim, former president of Kyungpook National University

Through his candidacy declaration, Kim is expected to say, "I am running in the superintendent election to open a new future for education in Gyeongbuk," and, "With the educational administration experience and leadership I have accumulated as president of Kyungpook National University, president of Gyeongbuk Provincial University, and CEO of the Gyeongbuk Talent Lifelong Education Foundation, I will lead Gyeongbuk education into a new era."

Kim is expected to propose raising the level of public education, implementing future-oriented student-centered education, promoting lifelong education focused on cooperative education with the local community, creating schools where teachers are respected and educational administration is transparent, strengthening character education, and innovating the school system and entrance examination system to build a foundation for future education.

Kim's camp stated, "Ahead of the upcoming Gyeongsangbuk-do Superintendent of Education election, we are always ready to engage in open dialogue and cooperation with all those who truly care about the future of education in Gyeongbuk," also hinting at the possibility of unifying candidates.

Kim is a native of Sangju, Gyeongbuk. He previously served as a professor in the Department of Mathematics at Kyungpook National University and as its president for four years starting in 2016. He later served as president of Gyeongbuk Provincial University and is currently the CEO of the Gyeongbuk Talent Lifelong Education Foundation.