Ahn Min-seok likely to win Gyeonggi education chief post, reclaiming progressive control

Ahn Min-seok, the progressive candidate, is strongly positioned to win the Gyeonggi provincial superintendent of education election, signaling a potential return of progressive leadership to the region. As of early June 4, Ahn held a 52.4% lead over incumbent conservative candidate Lim Tae-hee, who had 47.6%.

Gyeonggi province holds significant symbolic importance as the birthplace of the "progressive education era" in South Korea. It was here in 2009 that Superintendent Kim Sang-gon first championed progressive educational agendas, including innovative schools and universal free school meals, which later spread nationwide. While Gyeonggi had consistently elected progressive superintendents, it saw its first conservative leader, Lim, elected in 2022. This potential victory for Ahn marks a possible recapture of the province for progressive education after a four-year interval.

Meanwhile, the election is also set to produce the nation's first four-term superintendent of education in Busan. Progressive candidate Kim Seok-joon is leading with 50.5% of the vote. A former professor at Busan National University, Kim first won in 2014, focusing on nurturing Busan-style innovative schools and expanding free school meals. He secured re-election in 2018, consolidating progressive educational foundations in the city over eight years.

Kim lost the 2022 election but returned to office in a by-election last year following the disqualification of the then-superintendent. If he wins this election, he will become the first superintendent to serve four terms. Although a previous conviction for a special recruitment case could jeopardize his position, the appeal outcome is pending. The education superintendent role, like other local government heads, has a three-term limit, but Kim's loss in 2022 makes his current candidacy eligible.