Confirmation Hearing for Education Minister Nominee on the 16th
"Second Daughter Studied in the U.S. During Third Year of Middle School...
I Only Thought About Her Falling Behind in Semesters"
Lee Jinsuk, the nominee for Minister of Education, apologized on the 16th regarding her children's illegal early overseas study, stating, "I did not even know it was illegal," and added, "Even if I was unaware, it was still my mistake."
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 the 16th. 2025.7.16 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
At the National Assembly confirmation hearing that day, in response to a request from Jin Sunmi, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, for clarification on her children's illegal early overseas study, Lee said, "I only thought about how my child would have to repeat a year and a half (due to being behind in semesters) upon enrolling in a U.S. school, and honestly, I did not know it was illegal. I am sorry," she said.
Lee explained, "From 2001, my husband and I stayed in the United States for a year as visiting researchers. Afterwards, my eldest child strongly wished to study in the U.S., and I could not go against my child's will, so I granted the request. In the U.S., high school starts from 9th grade, so my eldest ended up attending an extra year and a half. Later, my second child, wanting to follow her older sister, also went, and I was only focused on the idea that she, too, would have to repeat a year and a half."
Lee's eldest daughter went to the United States in 2006 while attending the first year of a domestic high school and entered the 10th grade at a local school. The second daughter went to study in the U.S. the following year, after completing only the first semester of the third year of middle school, and entered the 9th grade there. There are criticisms that this violated the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which defines education up to middle school as 'compulsory education.' Article 13 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act stipulates that all citizens must ensure that their children or wards attend school until they graduate from middle school.
In addition, under current law, the qualification for self-funded overseas study is granted only to those who have graduated from middle school or are recognized as having an equivalent or higher level of education. However, if at least one parent accompanies the child when leaving the country, it is considered legal. At the time the second daughter went to study abroad, which was before the current law came into effect in 2012, both parents had to leave the country for more than one year for the purpose of residence, and children of elementary or middle school age had to leave together for the purpose of living with them.
However, in 2007, Lee was a professor at Chungnam National University, and her spouse was a professor at Cheongju University, both residing in Korea.
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