Lee Chang-yang, Changes Jobs 5 Months After Government-Funded Study Abroad, Achieves High Income

Assemblyman Kim Seonghwan Raises Suspicion of 'Sneaky Job Change'
Candidate Lee Responds, "Will Continue to Contribute to the Nation After Job Change"

Lee Chang-yang, Ministerial Nominee for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. / Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] On the 24th, Kim Seong-hwan, a member of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed that Lee Chang-yang, the nominee for Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, "intentionally abused the system by obtaining a degree through government-funded overseas study during his civil service and resigning just five months later."

In a press release on the same day, Rep. Kim raised suspicions, stating, "There are serious questions about the morality of the nominee, who pursued personal gain by boosting his credentials through government-funded overseas study and then making a 'cunning job change'."

According to the personnel hearing request submitted to the National Assembly, Lee, while serving as an official at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 1993, went abroad for training and study leave twice, completing master's and doctoral courses at Harvard University Graduate School in the United States over a total of 3 years and 4 months.

However, he resigned from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry just five months after obtaining his doctorate. Considering the period of government-funded overseas study, Rep. Kim pointed out that the actual time Lee worked at the ministry was only 3 years and 3 months.

Rep. Kim stated, "The period during which the abilities cultivated through overseas training and study leave were used to serve the country and the people through public service is far too short," adding, "Especially, despite receiving special consideration by being appointed as head of the Industrial Policy Division immediately after earning his doctorate in 1999, he resigned after just five months, causing considerable shock in the public service community at the time."

Rep. Kim also criticized, "It seems difficult to avoid criticism that this was a selfish choice that intentionally abused the civil servant overseas education system and study leave system, breaking the government's trust which provided opportunities to nurture talent."

He further added, "It has been revealed that the nominee earned over 300 million won annually, including a professor's salary and advisory fees from large corporations and private equity funds, immediately after obtaining his degree with taxpayers' money and changing jobs."

Rep. Kim argued, "The nominee exploited the significantly relaxed mandatory service period regulation after civil servant overseas education, engaging in 'cherry picking' (selectively taking benefits). His appointment as minister will be perceived not as the 'return of the ace of the Ministry of Industry' but as the 'return of a cherry picker,' which will negatively affect discipline and morale in the public service."

Rep. Kim also criticized Lee's blog post, in which he wrote that "members who pursue selfish interests against the community's benefit should be punished," calling it a "double standard."

In response, Lee's side rebutted, "The mandatory service period supported by government funds during the study period was two years, and the remaining 1 year and 4 months were self-funded." They also stated, "After moving to KAIST as a professor in 2000, the annual income does not reach 300 million won," adding, "In particular, he contributed to national development through 22 years of research on technological innovation and nurturing future talents at the national KAIST."