Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho expressed his "regret" regarding the passage of a bill in the National Assembly's Education Committee on the 10th that downgrades the legal status of artificial intelligence (AI) digital textbooks to educational materials instead of textbooks.
The Deputy Prime Minister attended the National Assembly Education Committee meeting that day and said, "AI textbooks are a very good tool that can innovate and advance our education."
That day, the National Assembly Education Committee introduced a bill that defines AI textbooks as educational materials and passed it under the leadership of the ruling party.
AI textbooks were introduced nationwide for 3rd and 4th graders in elementary schools, 1st graders in middle schools, and 1st graders in high schools starting in March this year. The subjects targeted include English, math, and information technology. Initially, the government planned to mandate the implementation of AI textbooks in all schools, but it decided to leave the choice to schools due to opposition from the ruling party.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that "AI textbooks were introduced to align with the full implementation of the 2022 revised curriculum in 2025" and added, "If we miss this opportunity, we will lose all policy tools and timing for our children's future."
There are predictions that if the bill amending the K-12 education law passes the National Assembly's plenary session, AI textbooks will be effectively expelled from schools.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed concern, saying, "If this bill is finalized, there will be great chaos in schools."
He emphasized again that "AI textbooks are for the future of our education" and requested that it be thoroughly reviewed during the National Assembly's discussion process.