Allegations of "Appointment as National Education Commission Chair in Exchange for Gold Turtle"
"I Will Sincerely Clarify the Facts During the Investigation Process"
Lee Baeyong, Chairperson of the National Education Commission, who has been facing allegations of "selling government positions" related to First Lady Kim Keonhee, announced on the 1st that she will resign.
In a statement released on this day, Chairperson Lee said, "I intend to step down as Chairperson of the National Education Commission today," and added, "I deeply apologize for the occurrence of this situation."
Chairperson Lee also stated, "I will sincerely clarify the facts regarding the reports in the media during the investigation process," and expressed, "I am deeply grateful for the support the public has shown to the National Education Commission thus far."
As the first Chairperson of the National Education Commission under the Yoon Sukyeol administration, Lee Baeyong is facing allegations that she was appointed to the position in exchange for giving a gold turtle weighing 37.5 grams to First Lady Kim Keonhee. The special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki reportedly discovered a gold turtle and a letter believed to have been written by Lee Baeyong to former President Yoon and his wife in the safe of Kim Keonhee's mother, Choi Eunsun, during a search and seizure related to suspicions of preferential treatment in the Yangpyeong Gongheung District development project involving the First Lady's family. In relation to this, the special prosecutor's team searched Lee Baeyong's residence on the 28th of last month.
Chairperson Lee has been on leave and has not appeared at official events, including cabinet meetings, since the search and seizure. In response, the ruling party pointed out that Chairperson Lee should attend the plenary session of the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts on this day to directly address the allegations.
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