A former education minister was chosen as the single candidate of the conservative side for the upcoming re-election of the city’s education chief, officials in charge of the process said Friday.

The need for a re-election of superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education came after Kwak No-hyun was stripped of the post in September after the confirmation of a one-year prison term for him, for bribing a fellow liberal candidate to withdraw his candidacy in the 2010 election.

Under the election law, an elected official loses his or her post when the top court confirms a punishment with a fine of more than 1 million won ($917) or imprisonment.

Moon Yong-lin, professor emeritus of Seoul National University, was chosen as the single conservative contender for the re-election set to be held on Dec. 19, the same day as the presidential vote, according to the coalition of conservative civic groups.

The 65-year-old candidate gained 15 out of 20 votes, beating both of his rivals, the group added.

“Education in Seoul is in a crisis, as it is degraded as a means to seeking ideology,” Moon said in his address to accept the nomination. “I’ll try to recover the core value of education.”

He served as the education minister in 2000 and retired from teaching at Seoul National University in August. He has been working for the ruling Saenuri party since September.

The liberal side plans to pick its own single candidate for the upcoming election early next month, according to officials. (Yonhap News)