Ulsan superintendent candidates clash over campaign claims

A dispute over campaign advertising and credibility has emerged in the race for Ulsan superintendent of education.

The controversy began when candidate Kim Ju-hong challenged the promotional language used by rival candidate Jo Yong-sik. Kim filed a complaint with the Ulsan Metropolitan Police Agency on Monday, accusing Jo of publishing false information in violation of the Public Official Election Act. The disputed claims — appearing in Jo's campaign literature, promotional materials, banners and social media — include the phrases "25-year classroom teacher" and "No. 1 in education superintendent policy pledges."

Kim argues that the term "classroom teacher" implies someone who directly instructs students, yet Jo's tally appears to include years spent away from the classroom in roles such as head of the Ulsan chapter of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, director of an education research institute and chief of staff to the superintendent. Kim also contends that the "No. 1 in policy pledges" claim was not the result of an official comparative assessment by a credible institution, and that voters could be misled into believing it reflects objective verification.

In a statement Tuesday, Kim said the complaint "is not a political act aimed at damaging a specific candidate, but a verification effort to help citizens make the right choice." He added that "an election is a competition of trust, not advertising," and stressed that "a superintendent candidate who must teach children honesty, responsibility and humility should use accurate and careful language throughout the campaign."

Jo's camp pushed back, saying the career certificate issued by the education office and submitted to the election commission shows a total teaching career of 25 years and five months, and that the campaign materials underwent prior review by the election commission. The camp added, "We believe citizens will render their judgment at the ballot box."