Education minister nominee apologizes for alleged plagiarism, illegally sending daughter abroad to study

We begin at the parliament yet again as confirmation hearings enter a third day with the nominee for education among those who faced rebuke for a personal decision regarding her daughter's academic pursuits.

Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports.

On the third day of hearings for the president's first Cabinet, lawmakers on Wednesday questioned the nominees for education, justice, and labor ministers on their policy agendas and qualifications.

Nominee for education minister Lee Jin-sook , whose role doubles as deputy prime minister, emphasized her commitment to nurturing future talent in step with the development of AI.

"I will focus on enhancing digital literacy and AI fundamentals from elementary through high school, building a strong foundation to develop AI talent that will help South Korea become a global leader in AI."

During the hearing, the focus was on allegations of Lee sending her daughter abroad for overseas study at an age deemed illegal under the law, and committing academic plagiarism.

Lee apologized, saying she understood the allegations disappointed public expectations, but she denied all claims related to her academic papers.

She also said she was unaware that sending a child, who had not graduated from middle school, abroad without a parent was illegal.

The ruling and opposition parties clashed over the nominee's qualifications.

"If the candidate had any conscience, I would have expected her to step down before the hearing, to avoid becoming a burden to the Lee Jae Myung administration."

"Calling this candidate unqualified? Why are we holding this confirmation hearing? And why are the lawmakers sitting here as committee members?"

Meanwhile, justice minister nominee Jung Sung-ho said it was time to resolve the issue of separating the prosecution's investigation and indictment powers, emphasizing his commitment to prosecutorial reform, one of the Lee Jae Myung administration's key campaign pledges.

"Separating the prosecution's powers to investigate and indict is an inevitable policy direction to ensure its political neutrality, reduce the concentration of power, and to establish checks and balances among investigative agencies."

Kim Young-hoon , the nominee for employment and labor minister, pledged to resolve discrimination against temporary workers and ensure equal pay for equal work as his top priorities.

Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.