In the nationwide education superintendent elections held on June 3, progressive candidates are projected to have a strong advantage, according to exit polls conducted by three major broadcasters: KBS, MBC, and SBS.
If the exit poll results hold true during the counting process, the progressive camp is expected to win in 9 out of 16 city and provincial education superintendent elections, while the conservative camp is projected to secure 3 positions. The remaining 4 races are anticipated to be closely contested within the margin of error.
According to Yonhap News, the exit polls indicate that in Seoul, the current progressive education superintendent candidate Jeong Geun-sik is leading with 39.0%, significantly ahead of conservative candidate Jo Jeon-hyeok, who garnered 21.2%. If these results are confirmed in the official count, Jeong is likely to achieve re-election.
In Gyeonggi Province, considered one of the key battlegrounds, progressive candidate Ahn Min-seok is projected to receive 58.2%, leading current conservative superintendent Lim Tae-hee by 16.4 percentage points.
In Gangwon Province, progressive candidate Kang Sam-young is expected to secure 43.8%, surpassing current conservative superintendent Shin Gyeong-ho, who is at 35.2%. In Chungnam, progressive candidate Lee Byeong-do is also leading, while in Ulsan, progressive candidate Jo Yong-sik is ahead with 44.2%.
The exit polls also show a progressive advantage in Daejeon and Busan, with candidate Seong Kwang-jin in Daejeon and current superintendent Kim Seok-jun in Busan projected to lead their conservative opponents.
In the Honam region, competition among progressive candidates is evident. In Jeollanam-do, current superintendent Kim Dae-jung is leading with 40.4%, while in Jeollabuk-do, candidate Cheon Ho-seong is ahead with 56.2%.
Conversely, conservative candidates are only leading in three regions: Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Chungbuk. In Daegu, current superintendent Kang Eun-hee, seeking a third term, is projected to receive 51.5%, significantly ahead of progressive candidate Lim Seong-moo, who is at 29.5%. In Gyeongbuk, current superintendent Lim Jong-sik is leading, and in Chungbuk, current superintendent Yoon Geon-young is also ahead.
Jeju, Gyeongnam, Sejong, and Incheon are classified as highly competitive regions. In Jeju, progressive candidate Ko Ui-suk is at 45.1%, closely followed by current conservative superintendent Kim Kwang-soo at 42.0%.
In Gyeongnam, progressive candidate Song Yeong-ki is slightly ahead, while in Sejong, candidates Lim Jeon-su and Kang Mi-ae are in a tight race. In Incheon, current superintendent Do Seong-hun and candidate Lee Dae-hyung are also expected to have a close contest.
The exit poll results highlight a notable strength of the progressive camp in this election. However, due to the high percentage of undecided voters and the significant impact of candidate recognition on the outcomes, the official results may vary in some regions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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