Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin has once again become embroiled in a political neutrality violation controversy after posting a supportive comment on a social media post backing Lim Jeon-su, a candidate for Sejong City superintendent of education. Choi previously drew strong public criticism in April this year when he attended the opening ceremony of Lim's campaign office, an incident also flagged as a political neutrality breach. The latest episode is escalating into questions over his qualifications as minister, particularly given that Choi had expressed regret over causing unnecessary controversy after attending the April event.
According to the education sector on the 2nd, Yoo Woo-seok, former principal of Haemil Elementary School, posted a message in support of candidate Lim on his social networking service (SNS) on the 28th of last month, one day before early voting began. In the post, Yoo emphasized, "I joined the joint press conference of the unification promotion committee co-representatives and also took part in the evening campaign rally. We must carry this momentum to victory in the main election." Yoo had previously lost to Lim in the progressive camp's unification primary for the Sejong City superintendent of education race.
The issue is that Choi pressed "like" on the post and left a comment reading, "You are wonderful. Thank you," accompanied by a heart emoticon. The message can only be interpreted as endorsing active participation in Lim's campaign rallies and election activities.
Lim served in key positions including head of the Education Policy Bureau at the Sejong Metropolitan Office of Education and director of the Sejong Education Institute during Choi's tenure as Sejong City superintendent of education. With his background as a regional chapter head of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, Lim is regarded as Choi's closest confidant. Choi has since deleted the comment.
Lee Joon-kwon, chairman of the Chungnam Federation of Teachers' Associations, captured the comment and posted it on Facebook, rebuking Choi by writing, "Teachers cannot even press 'like' on election-related posts, but apparently the education minister is an exception."
