Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Lee withdraws education minister nomination over plagiarism scandal
Education Minister nominee Lee Jin-sook attends a parliamentary confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
Lee set to proceed with gender equality minister appointment despite bullying allegations
President Lee Jae Myung has withdrawn his nomination of Lee Jin-sook for education minister, the presidential office said Sunday, amid allegations of thesis plagiarism and mounting concerns over her fitness to lead Korea’s public education system.
In contrast, the presidential office signaled that Gender Equality Minister nominee Kang Sun-woo, who has also faced public scrutiny over a series of workplace abuse allegations, would be appointed as planned.
“After comprehensive reviews and consultations with leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, President Lee has decided to withdraw the nomination of Lee Jin-sook,” presidential secretary for political affairs Woo Sang-ho said during a press conference at the presidential office in Seoul.
“We urge the National Assembly to respect the president’s decision and take prompt follow-up measures."
Lee Jin-sook, former president of Chungnam National University, had faced criticism over allegations that she plagiarized a former student’s thesis. However, she denied the claim, saying media reports were based on a misunderstanding of the academic context.
She was also under scrutiny over suspected legal violations in the process of sending her daughter to study abroad.
Citing these issues, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) strongly denounced her as unfit for the ministerial post.
Woo Sang-ho, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, speaks during a press briefing at the presidential office in Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap
Meanwhile, the president has not withdrawn Kang's nomination despite the allegations against her.
When asked whether Kang would still be appointed, Woo said, “Among the 11 remaining nominees awaiting confirmation report adoption, only Lee Jin-sook’s nomination has been withdrawn.”
The administration’s decision suggests it viewed Kang’s withdrawal as potentially more politically damaging, given her status as a sitting lawmaker within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).
Since confirmation hearings were introduced in 2000, no sitting lawmaker’s Cabinet nomination has ever been withdrawn.
Gender Equality Minister nominee Kang Sun-woo enters the confirmation hearing room at the National Assembly in Seoul, July 14. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-bin
Woo explained that the president held a closed-door meeting with DPK acting leader and floor leader Rep. Kim Byung-kee and PPP interim leader and floor leader Rep. Song Eon-seog.
During the meeting, Song urged the president to withdraw the nominations of both Lee and Kang, citing growing concerns over their qualifications. Song had previously called for a direct meeting with the president, arguing that face-to-face dialogue was necessary to address fundamental flaws in the administration’s vetting process.
The president has nominated 19 Cabinet members so far, 17 of which have undergone confirmation hearings and six which have been confirmed.