Aging candidate pool in superintendent race raises concerns over lack of younger leadership

With the June 3 local elections nearing, the superintendent race is drawing concern for its aging candidate pool, with most contenders aged 60 or older. A total of 75 candidates had registered for superintendent races nationwide as of Friday, with an average age of 63. By age group, those in their 60s accounted for the majority with 53 candidates, or 70.7 percent, followed by 16 candidates in their 50s at 21.3 percent, and six in their 70s at 8 percent. The youngest candidates are two contenders in the Sejong superintendent race, both aged 50, while the oldest candidate, running in Daegu, is 74. In Daegu, Daejeon, Ulsan and South Chungcheong Province, the average age of superintendent candidates exceeded 65 — the typical threshold for senior citizen status. Among them, Daegu recorded the highest average at 68. In South Chungcheong Province, two candidates in their 70s have registered. All regions nationwide except Busan, Sejong and Jeju saw average candidate ages in the 60s. Compared with other local elections, including races for mayors and governors, the aging candidate pool is more p

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