Focus on Lee Jinsuk's Response to Plagiarism and Early Overseas Education Allegations
Ruling Party Also Vows "Responsible Verification"
Kang Sunwoo's Abuse of Power Controversy and Allegations of Lying in the Spotlight
At the confirmation hearing for Lee Jinsuk, candidate for Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education?considered the toughest challenge among President Lee Jaemyung's first cabinet appointments?the opposition party focused its questioning on various allegations, including plagiarism and her children's overseas education. The ruling party attempted to defend her, but could not hide its discomfort. On July 16, the third day of the "super week" of confirmation hearings, the National Assembly held hearings for three nominees: Lee Jinsuk, Jeong Seongho for Minister of Justice, and Kim Younghoon for Minister of Employment and Labor. Public attention was squarely focused on Lee Jinsuk, who had been at the center of controversy since her nomination was announced.
On July 16, the National Assembly's Education Committee held the confirmation hearing for Lee Jinsuk. During the hearing, the opposition demanded the submission of materials related to "reports and dispositions of violations of labor relations laws" involving the nominee. They also requested information regarding allegations of workplace bullying and abuse of power. In addition, the opposition called for documentation concerning plagiarism and proof of her children's early overseas education.
Lee Jinsuk, candidate for Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, is delivering opening remarks at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Education Committee on July 16, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
The ruling Democratic Party also showed clear signs of discomfort. Baek Seungah, Democratic Party spokesperson and a member of the Education Committee, said in an MBC radio interview regarding the plagiarism controversy, "According to the Korea Research Foundation's guidelines, in the sciences, theses are often part of a supervisor's project, and in such cases, the designation of the first author is flexible depending on research contribution." She added, "It is necessary to listen carefully to the nominee's explanation." However, she also stated that the Democratic Party would "responsibly verify" issues such as the identical typographical errors in the thesis and the violation of domestic law in sending her children abroad for early education. She said, "We expect the nominee to provide a responsible explanation."
Cho Junghoon, a member of the People Power Party and secretary of the Education Committee, remarked, "I have never seen a nominee with this many problems and such consistent opposition from both left- and right-leaning education groups," adding, "To be honest, I thought today's hearing would not even take place." He suggested that he had expected the nominee to voluntarily withdraw before the hearing. Cho also questioned, "What message does it send if someone who broke the law to send their children abroad for early education becomes Minister of Education?"
The situation is also proving difficult for Kang Sunwoo, candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family. While the president can push ahead with an appointment even if the National Assembly does not adopt the confirmation report, public opinion is turning sharply against her. Initially, Kang explained and apologized at the hearing for allegations of abuse of power involving her aides, but her explanation has since sparked accusations of lying.
Kang explained the abuse of power allegations by saying she had taken something to eat but left it in her car, and that the boxes in question were intended for office use. However, reports have emerged that she instructed her aides to take boxes from her house to the office. In addition, conversations among her aides at the time have been made public. A first-term Democratic Party lawmaker also commented that Kang needs to provide a more convincing explanation and called for further clarification.
Regarding speculation about legal action against the aides who confirmed the abuse allegations to the media, Kang stated, "I never announced any intention to take such action." However, conflicting circumstances have emerged, fueling the controversy over whether she lied. The People Power Party is actively considering filing perjury charges, and the previous day, Ju Jinwoo, legal counsel for the party, raised the level of response by filing a complaint with the Ministry of Labor for workplace harassment and retaliatory abuse of power.
The problem is that Kang Sunwoo is not only a ministerial nominee but also a sitting lawmaker, which means the party would bear a significant burden in the event of her withdrawal. There is also concern about the potential political fallout beyond her possible withdrawal.
The opposition also raised questions about Ahn Kyubaek, candidate for Minister of National Defense, regarding his military service. Song Eonseok, acting chairman and floor leader of the People Power Party, held an emergency press conference and stated, "How did a short-term soldier who should have served 14 months end up serving 22 months? There are suspicions that he may have been a reservist who spent time in military detention?how can he command authority with such doubts?" He added, "If he wants to resolve these suspicions, he should disclose his military service record, but by refusing to do so, he is deliberately causing the confirmation hearing to break down."
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