In the June 3 Seoul superintendent of education election, the reelection of Jeong Geun-sik, the incumbent superintendent with a progressive bent, is likely. If Jeong is elected, the progressive camp will notch five straight wins in Seoul's superintendent race since 2014.

According to the National Election Commission on the 4th, Jeong was recording a 40.80% share of the vote as of 12:29 a.m., with 20.26% of ballots counted. He was leading conservative-leaning Cho Jeon-hyeok, who had 15.92%, by 24.88 percentage points.

Jeong was also projected to soundly outpace Cho with 39.0% to 21.2% in exit polls released at 6 p.m. by the three terrestrial broadcasters.

Jeong Geun-sik, the sole unified candidate for the Seoul superintendent of education race, poses for a commemorative photo at his campaign office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 3rd as his victory becomes likely./Courtesy of News1

If Jeong's victory is confirmed, after former Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon won three consecutive terms starting in 2014, progressive candidates will have held the Seoul superintendent post five times in a row through the 2024 by-election and this election.

Right after "likely winner" appeared, Jeong said at his Jongno-gu campaign headquarters, "I sincerely thank everyone who made a precious choice for the future of Seoul education," adding, "I stand here with a heavy sense of responsibility."

Jeong said, "I will fulfill my responsibility to the end for Seoul education where students' dreams, teachers' pride, and parents' trust are alive," adding, "I will embrace not only those who supported me but also the wishes of citizens who made a different choice."

He also signaled an intention to steadily carry on the policies announced over the past 1 year and 5 months. Jeong said, "Over this time, Seoul education has tackled tasks like basic academic skills, mental health, future education, and the public nature of education together with citizens," emphasizing, "Now we will not stop that change and will continue it more stably."

In this election, Jeong put forward as key pledges ▲ full free education for children ages 3–5 ▲ subsidies for public transit costs on school commutes ▲ free fees for field trip learning. He also promised to strengthen responses to violations of teachers' rights while expanding reading education.

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