Gwangju Education Groups Urge Lee Jinsuk to Voluntarily Withdraw Nomination

"Declaration of Resignation Should Come Before Explanations for Overseas Study or Plagiarism"
"Nominate Someone Who Can Lead Educational Reform Again"

"We do not want to hear any explanations. We are waiting for a responsible decision."

Education organizations in Gwangju have issued a public statement demanding the voluntary resignation of Lee Jinsuk, the nominee for Minister of Education.

Lee Jinsuk, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education nominee, is attentively listening to lawmakers' questions at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Education Committee in Yeouido, Seoul on the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News

The Gwangju Teachers' Union, the Gwangju Practical Education Teachers' Association, and the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union released a statement on the 16th, urging the withdrawal of Lee's nomination. They stated, "At the confirmation hearing, the answer the public is waiting for is a declaration of voluntary resignation, not explanations regarding her child's overseas studies or allegations of thesis plagiarism."

The organizations criticized, "She lacks practical experience and expertise in early childhood, elementary, and secondary education, and has never presented a vision for resolving entrance exam competition, reducing private education expenses, or implementing the high school credit system." They further pointed out, "Sending a middle school-aged child to study abroad could be a violation of current law, and it does not meet the standards of fairness and morality required of the head of the Ministry of Education."

Regarding the allegations of thesis plagiarism against Lee, they stated, "The case is far more serious than that of Kim Keonhee," and added, "The authoritarian administration she demonstrated during her tenure as president of Chungnam National University is also concerning." They continued, "She is not a suitable candidate to meet the demands for educational reform from those in the field. President Lee Jaemyung should withdraw her nomination and instead nominate someone with practical ability and democratic leadership."