Four preliminary candidates running for the Sejong Superintendent of Education election hold a press conference in front of the Ministry of Education at the Government Complex in Sejong on the 29th, urging Sejong Superintendent Choi Hyo-jin to apologize for visiting the election office of a specific preliminary candidate. [Photo=Yonhap News]

Minister of Education Choi Hyo-jin attended the opening ceremony of the election office for a specific preliminary candidate running for the Sejong Superintendent of Education election. The Ministry of Education explained, "He attended in a personal capacity and regrets causing unnecessary controversy."

However, this issue is not so easily resolved. The moment the current Minister of Education appears at an election event for a specific superintendent candidate, that scene already goes beyond the scope of personal affairs.

It is said that one should not even adjust their hat string under a plum tree. This means not doing anything that could raise suspicion in the first place.

The neutrality of public officials is not merely maintained by staying within the boundaries of legal provisions. This is especially true for the Minister of Education, who is responsible for the political neutrality of education. Voters read the message from whether or not someone was present at that location.

Minister Choi has been elected Sejong Superintendent of Education three times. The location of the current controversy is also Sejong. Preliminary candidate Lim Jeon-soo for Sejong Superintendent of Education held a key position at the Sejong Office of Education during Minister Choi's tenure as Sejong Superintendent.

Considering these relationships and regional symbolism, the explanation of "attending in a personal capacity" lacks persuasiveness. A minister's personal life is not easily separated from their public position.

Superintendent elections are elections without party nominations. Since party names are not attached to candidates, voters make judgments based on candidates' careers, connections, camp signals, and the movements of surrounding individuals.

In this structure, if the current Minister of Education attends the opening ceremony of a specific candidate, it effectively becomes a political scene. Whether a congratulatory speech was given, support was expressed, or an official vehicle was used is a secondary matter.

Article 9 of the Public Official Election Act stipulates that those required to maintain political neutrality, such as public officials, shall not exert undue influence on elections or engage in acts that affect election results.

Article 65 of the State Public Officials Act also restricts public officials from engaging in acts to support or oppose a specific political party or individual in an election.

Of course, it is difficult to conclude that mere attendance is immediately illegal. However, legal punishability and public official ethics are separate issues.

Neutrality in elections is not a matter of outcome, but of trust.

If a minister attends a specific candidate's event and explains it as being in a "personal capacity," will the other candidates feel that they are standing on the same starting line?

In fact, preliminary candidates for the Sejong Superintendent of Education held a press conference in front of the Ministry of Education on the 29th, urging Minister Choi to officially apologize and for an investigation by the Election Commission. The controversy has already gone beyond the scope of explaining personal schedules.

Furthermore, the Minister of Education is not an external observer of the superintendent elections. They are the highest authority responsible for educational policy and administration. A superintendent leads regional education administration, and the Minister of Education oversees the overall policy direction of national education administration.

If such a minister appears at the opening ceremony of a specific superintendent candidate, which is akin to a campaign launch, it can only be interpreted as lending support to the candidate.

Political debates have already begun. However, this issue should not be consumed solely by partisan disputes.

The core issue is not Minister Choi Hyo-jin's personal political preferences. It is a question of how cautious the person responsible for educational administration must be in front of an election. A minister who has spoken of the political neutrality of education should have been the first to avoid situations that would raise suspicion.

Public officials can sometimes feel unfairly treated. They might think, "I was just stopping by to say hello."

However, the conduct of high-ranking public officials is evaluated by the image it projects to the public, rather than by their intentions.

The opening ceremony of a candidate's office before an election is not a place for private friendships. It is a political space to gather supporters, confirm influence, and announce the start of campaigning.

Minister Choi Hyo-jin went to that space. And controversy arose. That is the essence of the problem. The controversy would not have arisen if the minister had not gone to that location.

Even if one adjusts their hat string under a plum tree and then explains, "I only touched my hat string," the suspicion of those watching will not disappear.

The neutrality of education is not maintained by textbook sentences.

Every step, expression, and attendance of the Minister of Education creates the standard for neutrality.

If Minister Choi treats this incident lightly, controversies over indirect support from public officials in future superintendent elections will be repeated more easily.

Regardless of the Election Commission's judgment, Minister Choi must clearly explain to the public why he went to that location. And he must reflect on the weight of the position of Minister of Education himself.