Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate running in the June 3 presidential election, and Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate, put forth pledges focusing on addressing the unbalance between universities in Seoul and local areas. Lee Jun-seok, the Reform Party candidate, is characterized by his emphasis on strengthening mathematics public education.
◇ Lee: “Make local national universities on par with Seoul National University” Kim: “Joint degree system between Seoul National University and local universities”
Candidate Lee Jae-myung presented as one of his top 10 pledges the idea of nurturing nine regional national universities to the standard of Seoul National University, referred to as “creating 10 Seoul National Universities.” He aims to enhance the government's budget allocation for Gangwon National University, Kyungpook National University, Gyeongsang National University, Pusan National University, Chonnam National University, Chonbuk National University, Jeju National University, Chungnam National University, and Chungbuk National University to cultivate excellent faculty and expand research facilities.
Candidate Kim Moon-soo also launched a similar pledge. He proposed activating a “joint degree system” between Seoul National University and regional universities. Under this plan, regional national universities would share professors and classes for specific majors in which they excel and award joint degrees featuring both the names “Seoul National University” and “local universities.” This initiative was previously attempted at Kyung Sang National University last year but was cancelled.
Both candidates pledged to establish a “Regional Innovation-centered University Support System (RISE).” The RISE project is a policy of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, with the Ministry of Education starting a pilot program two years ago.
◇ Lee: “Expand political activities for teachers” VS Kim: “Abolish direct elections for education superintendents”
Candidates Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo showed distinct differences in their stance on teachers’ political participation. Candidate Lee said, “I will guarantee teachers' freedom for political activities outside of working hours.” Current national civil servant law restricts teachers from joining political parties, participating in election campaigns, and sponsoring political funds.
In contrast, candidate Kim announced plans to abolish the direct election of education superintendents. His intention is to prevent the politicization of classrooms, which is contrary to Candidate Lee's position. He stated that he would appoint education superintendents through either a 'mayor running mate system' or a 'direct appointment by the governor' instead of direct election.
◇ Lee Jun-seok: “Let the state assist the ‘math dropouts’” Commitment to strengthen primary and secondary public education
Candidate Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party proposed a ‘National Education Accountability System for Mathematics’ as part of his campaign pledges to strengthen primary and secondary public education. This aims to prevent the production of ‘math dropouts’ (those who give up on mathematics). The plan includes mandating an annual nationwide mathematics proficiency test and conducting small group classes in each school based on the results. Additionally, for schools where the percentage of students falling below basic academic levels exceeds a certain ratio, the teacher-student ratio will be increased to a maximum of 5:1. This is also part of the measures to address private education costs.
◇ All agree on the need to protect teachers' rights: Lee, Kim, and Lee
All three candidates presented pledges to protect teachers' rights to prevent a recurrence of incidents like the ‘Seoi Elementary School incident,’ in which a teacher suffering from parental complaints took their own life.
Candidate Lee Jun-seok included this in the sixth of his top 10 pledges. He plans to introduce a 'National Liability System for Teacher Lawsuits' and place dedicated lawyers at regional education offices. Moreover, he intends to strengthen punishments for false child abuse allegations.
Candidate Kim Moon-soo also proposed investigation and support measures to prevent the proliferation of child abuse allegations, as well as lawsuit assistance from designated law firms approved by the education office. Candidate Lee Jae-myung stated that he would introduce 'mental care leave' for teachers.