Cha Jungin, former president of Pusan National University, who was running in the by-election for Busan Superintendent of Education, has decided not to run in order to unify the progressive candidates.
On the afternoon of the 11th, Cha held an emergency press conference and officially announced his withdrawal from the Busan Superintendent of Education by-election.
He stated, "I decided to run to fundamentally reform South Korea's entrenched competitive education system and realize Busan as a future-oriented education city, but I will halt my challenge to judge the insurrectionist forces of Yoon Sukyeol," thus withdrawing his candidacy.
Cha explained his decision by saying, "South Korea is facing a grave crisis, and with the ringleader of the insurrectionist crime still released, we cannot hold the Busan election amid division within the democratic and progressive camp."
He added, "I wish for Kim Seokjun's victory," and urged, "Please win to prevent the regression of Busan's education."
If the centrist-conservative candidates do not unite for the upcoming Busan Superintendent of Education by-election on April 2, a three-way race is expected between Jeong Seungyun, Choi Yunhong, and Kim Seokjun, who represents the centrist-progressive camp.
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