Teachers' Union Demands Education Minister's Resignation Over Election Interference Claims

South Korea's largest teachers' group is calling for the Education Minister's resignation, citing alleged violations of political neutrality just days before local elections. The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) stated that Minister Choi Kyo-jin should step down due to his actions, which they claim undermine the integrity of his office.

The controversy stems from Choi's engagement with a Facebook post supporting Lim Jeon-su, a candidate for the Sejong City Superintendent of Education. Choi reportedly 'liked' the post and left a comment. Further fueling the union's ire, Choi also attended a campaign event for Lim on April 26, an act the KTU deems a clear breach of electoral law and public official conduct.

“

The Minister of Education, who should be the first to uphold the law and ensure fairness as the head of education and a cabinet member, attended a campaign event for a specific superintendent candidate and ‘liked’ a social media post supporting them. We must hold him accountable for interfering in the election.

"The Minister of Education, who should be the first to uphold the law and ensure fairness as the head of education and a cabinet member, attended a campaign event for a specific superintendent candidate and 'liked' a social media post supporting them," the KTU stated on Tuesday. "We must hold him accountable for interfering in the election."

The union emphasized the strict neutrality required of teachers, who can face disciplinary action or legal penalties for even 'liking' election-related social media content. "We must hold him accountable for interfering in the election," the KTU said. "The Minister of Education himself has actively broken the election law."

“

The Minister of Education himself has actively broken the election law.