Progressive Professors and Researchers Group Demands Immediate Withdrawal of Lee Jinsuk's Nomination

Lee Jinsuk, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education nominee, is entering the hearing room held by the National Assembly Education Committee on the 16th. 2025.7.16 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The Korean Professors and Researchers Association for Democracy and Equal Society (MinKyoHyup), a progressive organization of professors and researchers, has called on President Lee Jaemyung to withdraw the nomination of Lee Jinsuk, the Minister of Education nominee who is facing allegations of thesis plagiarism involving her student.

On July 19, MinKyoHyup issued a statement demanding, "Immediately withdraw the nomination of the incompetent Lee Jinsuk, Minister of Education nominee, who is acting against the Revolution of Light and the Grand Social Reform."

MinKyoHyup stated that Lee Jinsuk's nomination was questionable from the beginning, explaining, "'Creating 10 Seoul National Universities' has long been discussed and brought to public attention as a higher education reform measure by the education sector, including MinKyoHyup, and various related research institutions. Lee Jinsuk has never participated in this process." The statement continued, "As she herself acknowledges, Lee Jinsuk appears to have merely delivered this proposal to then-presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung's campaign. Therefore, we question whether she has the expertise and sense of purpose necessary to address the numerous urgent challenges facing our universities through this policy."

MinKyoHyup also expressed strong doubts about the justification for her selection, which cited her leadership and drive. The organization stated, "During her tenure as president of Chungnam National University, Lee Jinsuk was well known for pushing top-down policies in line with government directives, ignoring opposition from university members." They added, "Until recently, she has served on all kinds of committees, regardless of whether they were affiliated with the ruling or opposition parties, or whether they required expertise, and she seems to have continued actions that would keep her in favor with the administration." The statement further criticized, "She failed to demonstrate any of the leadership expected of a university president, and all her major initiatives ended in failure. What kind of drive is this supposed to be?"

Lee Jinsook, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education nominee, is greeting lawmakers at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Education Committee on the 16th. 2025.7.16 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

MinKyoHyup stated, "In the end, all that remains is that she was the 'first female president of Chungnam National University and an alumna.' If this is truly the real reason for her nomination, we cannot help but express our serious concerns." The organization added, "Moreover, the incompetence revealed during the confirmation hearing clearly demonstrated that she should never become the Minister of Education in charge of our nation's education." MinKyoHyup argued that Lee Jinsuk has no understanding of why special-purpose high schools and private education are problematic, nor does she grasp the issues with the high school credit system and the university admissions system. Regarding her remarks that English kindergartens should be provided as part of public education, MinKyoHyup stated, "It may be no surprise that Lee Jinsuk, who sent her own child abroad for early education illegally to raise her as part of the privileged class, cannot understand the realities and problems of our education system. How can someone who has turned their back on Korean public education become the Minister of Education? If she has any sense of shame, she should resign immediately."

MinKyoHyup reiterated, "President Lee Jaemyung must immediately withdraw the nomination of Lee Jinsuk as Minister of Education," and added, "If the intention is truly to appoint someone from the Chungcheong region and a woman as Minister of Education, then a suitable candidate for the position should be found and presented to the public." The statement continued, "Forcing through the appointment of this nominee could become a fatal mistake that undermines the legitimacy of the Lee Jaemyung administration, which began with difficulty after repelling the forces of insurrection. We, as professors and researchers, do not want the first cabinet of the people's sovereignty government to be launched with such flaws. Once again, we strongly demand the withdrawal of Lee Jinsuk's nomination as Minister of Education."