President Lee Approves Dismissal of National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Baeyong Amid Bribery Allegations

Seven Days After Expressing Intention to Voluntarily Resign

President Lee Jaemyung approved the dismissal of National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Baeyong on the evening of the previous day (September 8), according to the presidential office. This comes seven days after Chairperson Lee expressed her intention to voluntarily resign on September 1.

Yonhap News Agency

On September 9, the presidential office announced through spokesperson Kang Yujeong that "the dismissal of National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Baeyong was approved last night." Chairperson Lee took leave on August 28, the day her home was searched, after controversy arose over allegations that she had given a "golden turtle" to Kim Keonhee, the wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol. She did not attend the Cabinet meeting and subsequently expressed her intention to resign on September 1.

Previously, the special prosecutor's team discovered the "golden turtle" while conducting a search related to allegations of real estate favors involving Mrs. Kim's family. Based on guarantee documents and other evidence, the special prosecutor suspects that Chairperson Lee provided valuables to Kim's side and is investigating the matter. In particular, there are suspicions that Chairperson Lee may have been appointed as National Education Commission Chairperson in exchange for providing valuables.