Conservative-centrist reform set to replace 12 years of progressive education policy

Kwon Soon-ki (sixth from left), the incoming superintendent of South Gyeongsang Province's education office, poses with transition committee members at the committee's office inside the provincial education office's research and information center on Thursday. [Transition committee]
Kwon Soon-ki (sixth from left), the incoming superintendent of South Gyeongsang Province's education office, poses with transition committee members at the committee's office inside the provincial education office's research and information center on Thursday. [Transition committee]

Kwon Soon-ki, the incoming superintendent of South Gyeongsang Province's education office, officially launched his transition committee Thursday, marking the first change in the province's top education post in 12 years. Kwon presided over a sign-hanging ceremony at the committee's office inside the provincial education office's research and information center in Changwon, formally beginning the transition process.

The committee is structured as a socially inclusive body, drawing on experts in education administration alongside representatives from parent groups, the disability community and multicultural sectors. Lee Su-o, a former president of Changwon National University who served as chair of Kwon's election support committee, heads the transition panel. The full 11-member roster includes former Changwon National University President Choi Hae-beom, former South Gyeongnam education bureau chief Choi Byeong-heon, former Haman education superintendent Kim Seung-o, Gyeongsang National University Professor Son Jeong-u, parent representative Kim Jeong-in and Chang Yeon-jeong, head of the Changwon Association for the Disabled.

The committee will operate through four working groups — covering curriculum; student welfare, safety and teacher rights; future education; and administration and fiscal affairs — alongside a general operations unit. It plans to receive briefings on the provincial education office's key programs, review current policy and develop a vision and agenda for the incoming administration.

The election marks a shift from 12 years of progressive education governance in South Gyeongnam to a conservative-centrist approach. Kwon has identified restoring foundational academic skills and normalizing public education as his core priorities.

His campaign pledges include free breakfast for all students from kindergarten through high school, stronger foundational academic and character education, expansion of AI-based future education, restoration of teacher authority and the establishment of a gifted high school.

"We will translate our promises to the people — raising academic achievement, advancing future education and restoring teacher rights — into concrete, workable policy," transition committee chair Lee said.

Kwon said the committee is "not simply a handover body, but the starting point for designing the direction of a new South Gyeongnam education," urging members to "lay the groundwork for an education environment where it is good to raise children."


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