Joo Jinwoo Alleges "Lee Hyehoon's Sons Interned at National Assembly to Build College Credentials"

People Power Party: "Credentials Only Lawmakers' Children Can Obtain"
Internship Experience Allegedly Listed in Yonsei University Personal Statement
Real Estate and Abuse of Power Controversies Add to Ethical Scrutiny

Allegations of preferential treatment in college admissions involving Lee Hyehoon, nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, have newly emerged, fueling political controversy. The latest dispute centers on claims that Lee's third son used his experience as an intern at a National Assembly member's office during high school as part of his college application. With the confirmation hearing approaching, this issue has become a focal point in the scrutiny of Lee's ethical standards.

Lee Hyehun, Minister of Planning and Budget nominee. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

On January 5, Joo Jinwoo, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, raised suspicions regarding Lee's third son, identified as Mr. Kim, through social media. According to documents disclosed by Joo, Mr. Kim worked as an intern at the office of then Saenuri Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Kim Sangmin from July 27 to August 5, 2015, during his senior year summer break in high school, and received a certificate verifying this experience.

Joo asserted, "This internship experience was intended to be included in the school records and used for the university's rolling admissions personal statement," describing it as "clearly an activity to build up college application credentials." He also released drafts of the internship certificate, school records, and the personal statement for Yonsei University's rolling admissions, reportedly prepared by Lee.

The disclosed materials state that Mr. Kim performed work such as monitoring media trends and articles, researching cyber trends, and investigating legislative support materials at the National Assembly office. Joo argued, "The details show that the plan to use the National Assembly internship for college admissions was prepared in advance," and criticized, "It is difficult to obtain an internship certificate from a National Assembly office unless you are the child of a lawmaker." He further stated, "This is a clear privilege not available to the children of ordinary citizens," labeling it as the so-called "mom chance." He added, "There are also suspicions that a fellow lawmaker's office was asked to create the internship experience specifically to fit college application requirements."

Furthermore, Joo raised suspicions that not only the third son but also the eldest son received preferential treatment and interned at the National Assembly to build up college credentials. He said, "While Lee allowed her own children to accumulate National Assembly internship experience, she has taken a hardline stance on internship issues in other lawmakers' offices," strongly criticizing this as "hypocritical double standards." He went on to say, "With the controversy over lawmakers' abuse of power, real estate-related suspicions, and now these college admission privilege allegations, this is a 'triple crown,'" and called for Lee's withdrawal from the nomination.

In response to Joo's claims, Lee's camp has presented a different perspective on both the facts and their interpretation. The confirmation hearing support team acknowledged in a statement on January 5, "It is true that the third son worked as an intern at a National Assembly office for about eight days during the 2015 summer break," but countered, "The nominee never requested the internship, nor was it used for college admissions."

Beyond the current allegations, Lee has also faced scrutiny from the opposition regarding the propriety of her real estate transactions and accusations of abuse of power in managing aides and related staff during her tenure as a lawmaker. However, most of these issues remain at the stage of political accusations, and final judgments on the facts are expected to be determined through the confirmation hearing and further clarifications.