[2025 Audit] Former Vice Minister Jang Sangyun: "I Spoke With Kim Keonhee, But There Was No Mention of School Violence"

Education Committee Conducts Comprehensive Audit
of Ministry of Education and National Education Committee

On October 30, former Vice Minister of Education Jang Sangyun denied allegations that First Lady Kim Keonhee pressured him over the phone regarding the school violence case involving the child of Kim Seunghee, former Presidential Protocol Secretary, stating, "There was absolutely no mention of school violence during the call."

That day, during a comprehensive audit by the National Assembly's Education Committee, former Vice Minister Jang responded to a question from Moon Jungbok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who asked, "You spoke with Mrs. Kim for 8 minutes and 49 seconds on July 20, 2023. What was the content of the call?"

At the time, First Lady Kim faced allegations of exerting influence to cover up the school violence incident involving the former secretary's child.

Former Vice Minister Jang stated, "At that time, there were many educational issues that were the subject of social controversy," and reiterated, "There was absolutely no mention of school violence."

Yonhap News Agency

Kim Youngho, Chair of the National Assembly's Education Committee, also pressed, "Isn't it highly unusual for the First Lady, who is not personally acquainted with you, to call you directly?"

In response, former Vice Minister Jang said, "Although we are not personally close, I did find it somewhat unusual to receive a call from her." He further explained, "The content of the call was not related to school violence. July 20, the day of the call, was the second day after the death of a Seoi Elementary School teacher, so we discussed current issues, and she expressed hope that the Ministry of Education would respond appropriately."