Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae leaves public support comment for Jeong Cheong-rae, sparking political neutrality controversy

Many had roughly anticipated her move, but it is seen as a failure to uphold the political neutrality expected of a provincial governor. Public endorsement of a specific candidate is said to go beyond the role of a metropolitan mayor.

Governor Choo wrote on Jeong's post: "There are still many contracts left unfinished. I trust the consistency and sincerity of the reforms you have shown so far. Mothers who worry about the funerals of their children more than their own well-being must feel the same way. Keep it up." The comment praises Jeong's policy direction and sincerity and expresses support for his efforts.

It has been customary for metropolitan mayors to maintain fairness in intra-party primaries and not lend support to any one candidate, but Governor Choo's move appears to have broken that convention.

Since Jeong is not a target of such checks, backing Jeong while checking Kim may have seemed the realistic option to her.

Jeong has said he is running a campaign built on momentum rather than organization, but the claim is that the reality is the opposite. According to the report, figures classified as Lee Nak-yeon faction members hold very central roles in Jeong's regional organizations.

Jeong has long spoken as if he had no organization, but analysts say the reality is different. Reports say Lee Jin-nyeon and other Lee Nak-yeon faction figures are deeply involved in Jeong's campaign. Lee Jin-nyeon is treated as a side branch even within the Lee faction, but people from the group classified as Lee Nak-yeon's core lineage are reportedly positioned throughout Jeong's campaign. This suggests a gap between Jeong's campaign strategy and its actual organizational makeup.

Reactions have been that it is even more surprising than a past controversy involving a religious group that stirred political turmoil. This is because the alliance was hard to foresee given the political relationship between the two factions.

Speculation has arisen about why Governor Choo would risk the political neutrality controversy. One analysis suggests that people handling the Lee Nak-yeon faction's organization, particularly those close to Jeon Hae-cheol, may have appealed to Choo for help in some way. Such a request may have influenced her decision.

Jeong has asked himself whether he is 'anti-Lee Jae-myung' and has denied that identity. However, critics argue that if he keeps figures classified as Lee Nak-yeon faction members as key aides, he can hardly be seen as anything other than anti-Lee. This is read as showing a contradiction between Jeong's political stance and his actual conduct.

Jeong's victory would likely be the biggest source of joy for Lee faction figures. The result could give the faction, which has been in decline, an important foothold to expand its political influence again.