President Lee Jae-myung Withdraws Education Minister Nominee Amid Controversy

On July 20, President Lee Jae-myung (이재명) retracted the nomination of Lee Jin-sook (이진숙) for the Minister of Education, citing public opinion as a significant factor. Woo Sang-ho (우상호), the Chief of Staff to the President, stated that while he believed Lee was qualified, she ultimately could not overcome the barriers of public sentiment, which may leave her feeling quite wronged. In contrast, the appointment of Kang Sun-woo (강선우) as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family was pushed through based on the ruling party's leadership recommendations.

During an appearance on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on July 21, Woo explained that the prolonged debate surrounding the two nominees led President Lee to seek diverse opinions through various channels. He noted that when he reported on public sentiment regarding Lee Jin-sook and Kang Sun-woo on July 19, the President was particularly interested in the nature of the allegations against them.

Woo emphasized the burden on the appointing authority when false accusations could harm someone's reputation, stating that the President was eager to understand how factual the allegations were and how well the nominees' explanations resonated with the public.

He mentioned that the President took a full day to deliberate before making his decision, which is a considerable amount of time for someone in his position. Lee Jin-sook faced allegations of plagiarism regarding her students' papers, but Woo defended her qualifications, suggesting that many of the accusations had been clarified. However, he acknowledged that the public's resistance ultimately influenced the decision.

Regarding Lee's withdrawal, Woo clarified that it was a mutual decision made after discussions with her, indicating that it was in line with her wishes. As for Kang Sun-woo, who has been accused of mistreating her staff as a member of the National Assembly, Woo stated that the President considered various factors before making a decision, with the ruling party's leadership having a significant impact.

When asked if Kang's status as a current lawmaker influenced her appointment, Woo deflected, suggesting that the media should inquire with the ruling party's leadership. He noted that while there was considerable public opposition to both nominees, there was also a strong push for Kang's appointment in the final stages. He conveyed all opinions to the President, who ultimately made the final decision.