In the nationwide elections for education superintendents held alongside the 9th local elections, progressive candidates made significant gains in the Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon education offices, leading the overall results. Meanwhile, conservative candidates solidified their support in the Yeongnam and Chungcheong regions. The election outcomes are expected to further diversify educational policies across regions, balancing the expansion of educational welfare in the metropolitan area with market-driven academic improvement strategies in certain locales.
According to the National Election Commission on June 4, progressive candidates won in the key metropolitan districts. In Seoul, incumbent Jeong Geun-sik secured re-election with 30.34% of the vote, reinforcing a five-term streak for progressive superintendents. In Gyeonggi Province, Ahn Min-seok achieved a decisive victory with 52.81%, significantly outpacing incumbent Lim Tae-hee. In Incheon, Do Seong-hoon also emerged victorious with 36.35% of the votes.
Progressives continued to show strength in the Honam and parts of the Yeongnam regions, with candidates such as Kim Dae-jung in Jeollanam-do (42.52%), Kim Seok-jun in Busan (50.63%), Cheon Ho-seong in Jeollabuk-do (56.63%), Jo Yong-sik in Ulsan (39.22%), Kang Sam-young in Gangwon (41.54%), Lee Byeong-do in Chungcheongnam-do (30.59%), and Go Ui-sook in Jeju (48.08%) all winning their respective races.
Conversely, conservatives fortified their positions in traditional strongholds and key battlegrounds in the Chungcheong region. In Daegu, Kang Eun-hee was re-elected with 52.40% of the vote. In Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, Lim Jong-sik and Kwon Soon-ki won with 43.49% and 38.53%, respectively. In the Chungcheong region, Oh Seok-jin in Daejeon secured 27.48%, while Yoon Geon-young in Chungcheongbuk-do (48.21%) and Kang Mi-ae in Sejong (36.25%) also represented conservative and moderate-conservative views.
Education experts analyzed that the election results were significantly influenced by the political landscape and the incumbency advantage. Lee Deok-nan, head of the Education and Culture Team at the National Assembly's Legislative Research Service, noted, "A key feature of this election was the strong correlation between the gubernatorial elections and the education superintendent races. The incumbency premium for current superintendents was clearly evident."
Lee added, "In regions like Gyeonggi and Gangwon, where voters disillusioned with the conservative party shifted their support to progressives, the landscape for education superintendents changed significantly."
Notably, despite initial media predictions of a landslide victory for progressives, the final results reflected a closer outcome, resembling the previous 11 to 6 structure from the era of 17 education offices, concluding at 10 to 6. Lee remarked, "Contrary to expectations, progressive candidates did not make significant gains in the Yeongnam and Chungcheong regions, and the dynamics in Chungcheong have shifted dramatically. Progressive candidates failed to present compelling educational pledges or visions that resonated with residents, leading to a lack of differentiation among candidates, which was reflected in the voting results."
According to the National Election Commission on June 4, progressive candidates won in the key metropolitan districts. In Seoul, incumbent Jeong Geun-sik secured re-election with 30.34% of the vote, reinforcing a five-term streak for progressive superintendents. In Gyeonggi Province, Ahn Min-seok achieved a decisive victory with 52.81%, significantly outpacing incumbent Lim Tae-hee. In Incheon, Do Seong-hoon also emerged victorious with 36.35% of the votes.
Progressives continued to show strength in the Honam and parts of the Yeongnam regions, with candidates such as Kim Dae-jung in Jeollanam-do (42.52%), Kim Seok-jun in Busan (50.63%), Cheon Ho-seong in Jeollabuk-do (56.63%), Jo Yong-sik in Ulsan (39.22%), Kang Sam-young in Gangwon (41.54%), Lee Byeong-do in Chungcheongnam-do (30.59%), and Go Ui-sook in Jeju (48.08%) all winning their respective races.
Conversely, conservatives fortified their positions in traditional strongholds and key battlegrounds in the Chungcheong region. In Daegu, Kang Eun-hee was re-elected with 52.40% of the vote. In Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, Lim Jong-sik and Kwon Soon-ki won with 43.49% and 38.53%, respectively. In the Chungcheong region, Oh Seok-jin in Daejeon secured 27.48%, while Yoon Geon-young in Chungcheongbuk-do (48.21%) and Kang Mi-ae in Sejong (36.25%) also represented conservative and moderate-conservative views.
Education experts analyzed that the election results were significantly influenced by the political landscape and the incumbency advantage. Lee Deok-nan, head of the Education and Culture Team at the National Assembly's Legislative Research Service, noted, "A key feature of this election was the strong correlation between the gubernatorial elections and the education superintendent races. The incumbency premium for current superintendents was clearly evident."
Lee added, "In regions like Gyeonggi and Gangwon, where voters disillusioned with the conservative party shifted their support to progressives, the landscape for education superintendents changed significantly."
Notably, despite initial media predictions of a landslide victory for progressives, the final results reflected a closer outcome, resembling the previous 11 to 6 structure from the era of 17 education offices, concluding at 10 to 6. Lee remarked, "Contrary to expectations, progressive candidates did not make significant gains in the Yeongnam and Chungcheong regions, and the dynamics in Chungcheong have shifted dramatically. Progressive candidates failed to present compelling educational pledges or visions that resonated with residents, leading to a lack of differentiation among candidates, which was reflected in the voting results."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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