Campaign hagwon: Inside South Korea’s intensifying class president elections
South Korea's class president elections are becoming increasingly competitive, with more students running and some families seeking outside coaching. The trend reflects broader shifts in the country's education culture, driven by changing parenting styles and the growing influence of private academies.
Electing a class president is a long-standing tradition in South Korea, but it's becoming more competitive. More students are running, and some families are hiring private coaches to help their children win. Traditionally, only a few students would run, but now up to 70-80% of students are participating. Private academies, known as hagwon, offer coaching services, including speech training and campaign strategy advice, for fees ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 won per hour. Parents are driving this trend, believing that leadership roles can strengthen their child's academic portfolio and improve college prospects. The rise of election-focused private education has drawn mixed reactions, with some parents seeing it as a way to build confidence and others worrying about its impact.
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