Park Sun-ae "Will Strive for Education That Paints a Hopeful Future"

Park Soon-ae, the new Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Park Soon-ae, the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, announced on the 4th that she will strive for "education that paints a hopeful future."

On the afternoon of the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Park expressed her thoughts in a text message distributed to the press corps through the Ministry of Education's spokesperson office, saying, "As the first Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility and mission." She added, "I will listen carefully to the voices from the field, actively reflect the opinions of the educational community, and vigorously promote educational reform," and "I will do my utmost for education that paints a hopeful future for the people."

Earlier, President Yoon Seok-yeol approved the appointments of Deputy Prime Minister Park and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman nominee Kim Seung-gyeom shortly after the senior secretaries' meeting ended around 11:30 a.m. As a result, Park became the second Minister of Education appointed without going through a confirmation hearing. However, voices criticizing the presidential office's insistence on the appointment are strong in the education sector and political circles, citing unresolved issues such as 'drunk driving while intoxicated,' allegations of plagiarism in her thesis, accusations of 'assistant abuse,' and suspicions of her eldest daughter's false address registration.

Deputy Prime Minister Park is scheduled to hold an inauguration ceremony at the Government Complex Sejong on the 5th and officially begin her duties. She will also attend the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office building on the 5th.