Choi Kyo-jin's confirmation hearing sees clash between ruling and opposition parties… Opposition: "Bias," Ruling Party: "Right Person for the Job"

People Power Party launches fierce attack over allegations of ideological bias: "Will this become a 'KTU-run Ministry of Education'?"

Ruling party: "He has a proven track record, including three terms as superintendent"… Also criticizes Yoon's appointment of Lee Bae-yong over 'golden turtle bribery allegations'

Candidate Choi Kyo-jin rubbing his forehead. (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Joo-sung = Choi Kyo-jin, nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, rubs his forehead while being asked to submit documents during a confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly Education Committee in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 2nd. 2025.9.2 utzza@yna.co.kr

During the National Assembly Education Committee's confirmation hearing for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education nominee Choi Kyo-jin on the 2nd, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over allegations regarding the nominee's political bias.

The opposition People Power Party (PPP) leveled sharp criticism, taking issue with the nominee's past social media posts and concerns over ideological bias, while the ruling Democratic Party (DP) highlighted the nominee's career in education and promoted him as the "right person for the job."

Rep. Cho Jeong-hun, the ranking opposition member of the Education Committee, asserted, "One of the major concerns many citizens have regarding the nominee, alongside political bias, is the fear that this will become a Ministry of Education for the KTU (Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union), by the KTU, and for the KTU."

Rep. Cho raised suspicions that the nominee had promoted figures affiliated with the KTU during his tenure as the Sejong City Superintendent of Education, and requested the submission of the Ministry of Education's comprehensive audit report on the Sejong Office of Education.

Rep. Kim Dae-sik of the same party criticized him, stating, "Right after the 18th presidential election, when candidate Moon Jae-in was defeated, the nominee posted, 'Busan is still embarrassing.' This is an insult to the second-largest city and its 3.3 million citizens."

In response, nominee Choi clarified, "I saw a poet living in Busan post a poem titled 'Is Busan still embarrassing?' and I shared it because I wanted to show that there are people who feel this way."

He added, "Reading the poem, I realize that people in Busan may have been hurt. I apologize once again for my thoughtless sharing."

The Democratic Party defended the nominee by pointing to his career in the education sector. In particular, they reinforced their defense by mentioning the "office-selling" allegations surrounding Lee Bae-yong, the Chair of the National Education Commission appointed under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

Rep. Park Sung-joon said, "The nominee has spent about 40 years in the education sector," adding, "He has been involved in social movements, served on the front lines of education, and served three consecutive terms as the responsible Sejong City Superintendent of Education; his many achievements and work led to his nomination as minister."

He continued, "As someone who has listened to voices on the ground in elementary and secondary education and implemented policies, he is the most suitable person for the position of minister."

Meanwhile, Rep. Jung Eul-ho of the Democratic Party said, "I must make a motion regarding Chair Lee Bae-yong," and urged for Lee to be called as a witness for the parliamentary audit, stating, "A figure who served as a university president and discussed the century-long education plan is now shaming the public with allegations of office-selling and dereliction of duty."