Education Minister's Campaign Event Attendance: A Breach of Political Neutrality? Key Candidates Respond

Education Minister Choi Gyo-jin expressed regret, saying he attended the opening of Im Jeon-su’s campaign office in Sejong in a personal capacity. Other candidates, however, argued that his presence at a rival’s event could create the appearance of compromised political neutrality and said they would coordinate a joint response.

On the 28th, Choi told the Ministry’s press office, "I attended in a personal capacity, but I regret that my presence caused unnecessary controversy."

The dispute stems from Im’s campaign office opening on the 25th in Naseong-dong, Sejong City. Once it became public that Choi attended, questions were raised about the fairness of the Sejong superintendent race.

The ministry confirmed Choi did not use an official vehicle or bring aides to the event. Nevertheless, as the serving minister of education and a former Sejong superintendent, his appearance could be perceived as lending political weight to a particular candidate, and the controversy has persisted.

Candidates Kang Mi-ae, Kim In-yeop, An Kwang-sik, and Won Seong-su plan to hold a joint press conference at 10:00 a.m. on the 29th in front of the Ministry of Education’s main gate at the Government Sejong Complex to issue a statement condemning the visit.

They contend that the minister’s attendance was inappropriate given his duty to remain politically neutral. At the press conference, they will demand an official apology from Choi and call for an investigation into whether he violated that obligation.