As early voting began on Friday for the by-election to select Seoul's education superintendent, polling stations across the city experienced low public engagement, with a voter turnout of just 2.48% by 3:40 p.m., translating to 206,317 ballots from 8.32 million eligible voters. The election, which features four candidates, could significantly impact the future of education in South Korea, given Seoul's influential role in shaping national policy. The main contenders are liberal Jung Keun-sik, a former sociology professor, and conservative Cho Jun-hyuk, a former lawmaker. While Jung promotes innovative education and a stronger history curriculum, Cho advocates for stricter academic standards and a repeal of the controversial Student Rights Ordinance, arguing it undermines school discipline. In addition to the leading candidates, two independent hopefuls are also in the race, presenting alternative educational visions. Yoon Ho-sang, a former school principal, aims to reduce educational burdens by establishing regional care centers and enhancing public English education, while Choi Bo-sun emphasizes inclusivity and equitable education, proposing a significant fund to support disadvantaged students. The candidates will engage in their first joint debate on Friday, as early voting continues through Saturday, leading up to the main election on October 16, which follows the Supreme Court's decision to remove the previous superintendent, Cho Hee-yeon, from office.