Difficulty Ensuring Quality Control in Educational Material Regulations
Concerns Over Usage Restrictions and Retroactive Application
"Opposition Party Will Continue to Persuade Applicants"
"Final Hurdle, Will Ensure No Burden on the Field"
A bill that downgrades AI (artificial intelligence) digital textbooks, which were scheduled to be introduced in schools starting next year, to 'educational materials' passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 26th. In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho expressed "deep regret over the passage of the amendment" and announced plans to request reconsideration.
Deputy Prime Minister Lee held an emergency briefing at the Government Seoul Office in the afternoon and stated, "Since AI digital textbooks, when used as textbooks, can help eliminate educational disparities between regions and schools and provide equal educational opportunities to students, if the amendment is sent to the government, as the minister in charge of enforcing the law, I plan to request reconsideration."
He emphasized, "Textbooks fall under free and compulsory education according to the 'Elementary and Secondary Education Act,' so there is no burden on students and parents. However, educational materials are not subject to free and compulsory education, so there may be a burden on students and parents. There is a concern that differences in usage depending on financial conditions by city, province, or school could lead to learning gaps and educational disparities."
He continued, "Educational materials do not undergo national-level certification procedures or revision and supplementation systems, so it is difficult to guarantee quality management either in content or technology. With the passage of the amendment, AI digital textbooks that fail the current certification may also be used in schools, which is a cause for concern."
He also expressed concern that educational materials do not receive the regulations applied to textbooks under the 'Copyright Act,' limiting the use of various copyrighted works.
Furthermore, he mentioned the possibility of confusion in the field as some policy implementation has already progressed. The Ministry of Education has already conducted teacher training and improved digital infrastructure in some schools. He also pointed out that the amendment's retroactive application to AI digital textbooks that have already passed certification could violate the constitutional principle of protection of trust.
The Ministry of Education stated, "To ensure that AI digital textbooks can be stably utilized in schools that wish to use them based on school autonomy, we will work with metropolitan and provincial offices of education to prepare administrative and financial support measures such as teacher training, digital infrastructure improvement, and effectiveness analysis."
In response to criticism at the press conference that there was a lack of communication with opposition parties, Deputy Prime Minister Lee said, "From the Ministry of Education's standpoint, we have continuously persuaded and accepted the issues raised by the opposition. Social studies and science were scheduled to be introduced in the 2026 academic year but were given an additional year, and Korean language implementation by this government was postponed entirely."
He added, "Even if the bill ultimately does not come into effect due to reconsideration, we will continue to persuade the opposition."
Regarding concerns that the acting president might find it difficult to exercise veto power due to the political situation, he explained, "Acting President Han Duck-soo emphasized the distinction between politics and policy when requesting reconsideration of several bills. Although the political situation is very difficult, policies will continue to be pursued separately from politics."
When asked if the policy was introduced too quickly, he responded, "From the Ministry of Education's perspective, it was very important to fundamentally transform the school environment so that our next generation can become leaders in the AI era. I believe the government's enthusiasm and efforts, along with communication with the field, all progressed together."
Regarding concerns that this might affect subscription fee negotiations with textbook publishers, he added, "We will continue to explain the necessity of maintaining the status as textbooks and keep negotiating with textbook publishers."
Deputy Prime Minister Lee concluded, "I consider this the final hurdle. We will resolve it well to ensure there is no disruption in the field."
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