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Kong Jeong-taek, the conservative incumbent, was elected superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in the first direct popular election for the office on Wednesday. In an apparent vote of support for President Lee Myung-bak¡¯s education reform plans, Kong gained 499,254 votes or 40.09 percent, out of 1,245,326 valid votes, edging out his main rival, teachers¡¯ union-backed Jou Kyong-bok, by 1.78 percent.
Kong¡¯s victory is likely to give a momentum to policies which seek to boost students¡¯ academic aptitude through competition between schools and students. Although turnout was low, those who did vote apparently prefer the selective education policies promoted by Kong to the radical egalitarianism advocated by Jou. ¡°I will do my best to bring the level of our education to the global standard by constantly challenging students through competition,¡± Kong told reporters after his win was confirmed.
Turnout was a mere 15.47 percent of 8,084,574 eligible voters. This is the second lowest turnout in the election of a superintendent of education nationwide, after the election in Busan in February last year, where turnout was 15.3 percent. The superintendent is elected for a year and 10 months, starting from Aug. 26. The next election will be held together with the district election in 2010.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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