The Sejong branch of the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA) urged the resignation of Lee Jin-sook, the nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, on the 15th, saying, "A person who ignores the urgent cries from the education field cannot be the head of the Ministry of Education."
On the same day, the Sejong branch issued a statement saying, "We had expected the new government to rectify the confusion in the education field with responsible education policies. However, the nomination of Lee, the former president of Chungnam National University, has shattered those expectations without mercy."
The Sejong branch listed several reasons for disqualification regarding the nominee: ▲lack of experience and understanding in early childhood and primary and secondary education ▲ethical issues related to the controversy over the early study abroad of his children ▲failure to communicate with members during his tenure as president of Chungnam National University ▲the demand for the removal of the statue of the girl of peace ▲plagiarism in a student's thesis and violations of research ethics.
It pointed out, "Having a person lacking educational insight and philosophy take on the position of Minister of Education will only exacerbate the deepening confusion in the education field."
Lee Sang-mi, the head of the Sejong branch of KFTA, warned, "The forcible appointment of an anti-educational figure is a declaration of abandoning education and an act of ignoring teachers and students," adding that "the Sejong branch will take action to block this nomination in collaboration with education workers, parents, and civil society nationwide."