"I Don't Know" to 'Legally Mandated School Days' Question... Lee Jinsuk Struggles

Sweating Under Lawmaker Jeong Seongguk's Questions
Unable to Answer on Education Administration Information System
Hesitates on Yubo Tonghap... "Need to Study More"

Lee Jinsuk, nominee for Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, struggled to answer questions regarding the legally mandated number of school days for elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as the education administration information system, during her confirmation hearing on the 16th.

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

At the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly Education Committee that day, Lee was asked by Jeong Seongguk, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, "Do you know the current legally mandated number of school days for elementary, middle, and high schools?" Lee responded, "I am not exactly sure."

In response, Jeong pointed out, "Not knowing this is a problem. The legally mandated number of school days for elementary, middle, and high schools is fundamental for designing all curricula. Even to take one day off to meet the 190-day requirement, a principal cannot decide on their own."

Jeong is an education expert who previously served as president of the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA) and is a former teacher.

Jeong further noted, "There was controversy when Kim Minseok, the Prime Minister nominee, could not recall the national debt ratio of 48.4% during his confirmation hearing. Likewise, you should not be unaware of the 190-day requirement."

Lee replied, "I will make sure to remember it."

Jeong then asked, "What is the name of the system that connects and processes education administration information at more than 10,000 schools nationwide?" Lee again failed to provide a proper answer.

NEIS (National Education Information System) is an information system used by education administrative agencies, including the Ministry of Education and 17 provincial and metropolitan offices of education, as well as more than 10,000 schools nationwide, to handle educational administration and academic affairs.

Jeong criticized, "Someone who is to become the Minister of Education should not be unaware of the legally mandated number of school days or NEIS. You need to study a lot more going forward."

Additionally, when asked what 'integration of early childhood education and care' (Yubo Tonghap) means, Lee first answered, "The basic concept of Yubo Tonghap has been presented," but then changed her answer to, "It is being promoted."

When asked which agency is responsible for Yubo Tonghap, Lee answered, "The Office of Education." However, Jeong corrected her, saying, "It is implemented by the Ministry of Education, not the Office of Education. If you do not know, just say you do not know, instead of being vague."