Im Jong-sik wins third term as North Gyeongsang education chief

Im Jong-sik won a third consecutive term as superintendent of education for North Gyeongsang Province, securing victory in the 9th nationwide local elections held Thursday.

"I am deeply grateful to the residents of North Gyeongsang Province and the education community for entrusting me with this role again," Im said Thursday. "This choice is a solemn mandate from the people to more firmly complete the warm education we have built together over the past eight years."

Im said the campaign had brought him face to face with the concerns of parents, teachers and local residents alike. "Parents worried about their children's commutes to school, college admissions and after-school care; teachers called for stronger protections for their professional rights and teaching activities; and community members expressed concern about the future of small schools and education in farming, mountain and fishing villages," he said. "I will reflect every one of those voices in how I run education going forward."

He said AI would serve as a tool alongside students, not above them. The province would improve its AI learning platform and digital infrastructure, expand online tutoring for students in rural areas, provide AI-powered captioning and translation support for students with disabilities and those from immigrant backgrounds, and strengthen AI ethics and safety education, he said.

"Education is not about speed but direction — not slogans but responsibility, not experimentation but children's lives," Im said. "Every benefit will go back to the children. Drawing on 47 years of experience in North Gyeongsang education, I will make sure we complete a warmer education that nurtures each child's dream."