President Lee Jae-myung nominated Kyo-jin Choi, the superintendent of education in Sejong City, as the candidate for Minister of Education and Min-kyung Won, a lawyer, as the candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family on the 13th. This is an additional appointment following the failed nominations for the Ministers of Education and Gender Equality that occurred during the confirmation process.
Kang Hoon, the president's chief secretary, held a briefing at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on this day and announced the ministerial appointments.
The candidate Kyo-jin Choi is from Boryung, Chungnam Province, and graduated from the Korean education department at Kongju National University. Kyo-jin Choi began as a middle school teacher and served as an education superintendent, having worked in the education field for over 40 years. He served as the 8th president of the National Association of Education Superintendents. Additionally, he has held positions such as executive chairman of the National Council for Reconciliation and Unification and a standing member of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) and a consultant for the Committee on Balanced National Development.
Chief Secretary Kang noted, "Kyo-jin Choi is an acknowledged education expert who has dedicated over 40 years, from a middle school teacher to education superintendent," and added, "He has a high understanding of regional balance and, based on his rich experience spanning elementary, middle, high school, and higher education, will fulfill the president's pledge to create ten Seoul National Universities."
Min-kyung Won is a graduate of Yonsei University with a degree in law and is a member of the 30th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute. She has served as the chair of the Women's Rights Commission while working with the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyeon) and has been an advisor to the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center. Currently, she is serving as a non-standing member of the National Human Rights Commission and a director at the Korean Women's Hotline.
Chief Secretary Kang emphasized, "Min-kyung Won is a legal professional who has worked for the rights of women and socially vulnerable groups, having served as the Women's Rights Chair of Minbyeon and as a gender equality advisor to the National Assembly. Gender conflict is a perception that our society must address, and we will create a 'gender-equal Korea' in line with the president's vision for gender equality through integration and inclusivity."
Earlier, President Lee nominated Jin-sook Lee, former president of Chungnam National University, as the candidate for Minister of Education and Seon-woo Kang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, as the candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family. However, former President Lee withdrew due to allegations of "thesis plagiarism," while Kang withdrew over controversies regarding "mistreatment of aides."