Confirmation Report for Nominee for Minister of Education, Choi Kyo-jin, Adopted by Ruling Party... Appointment Next

People Power Party Opposes, Boycotts Education Committee Plenary Session

Nominee for Minister of Education, Choi Kyo-jin, answering questions (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Joo-sung = Choi Kyo-jin, nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, answers committee questions at a confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly's Education Committee on September 2. 2025.9.2 utzza@yna.co.kr

The Democratic Party and the Jo Guk Innovation Party passed the confirmation report for nominee for Minister of Education, Choi Kyo-jin, at the National Assembly Education Committee's plenary session on the 11th. The People Power Party opposed the adoption of the report and did not attend the meeting.

Kim Young-ho, a member of the Democratic Party and chairman of the Education Committee, stated at the meeting, "The position of Minister of Education, which is responsible for Korea's education and future, has been vacant for a long time," and explained the reason for adoption, saying, "A prolonged vacancy of the minister position will cause significant losses to the public at such a critical national juncture."

He added, "The nominee's drunk driving record, which was pointed out during the confirmation hearing, is a very regrettable issue," and said, "Regarding the controversy related to social media, the nominee has sincerely apologized to the public for his imprudent actions and promised to be cautious in his words and actions in future public service."

Previously, the Education Committee held a confirmation hearing for nominee Choi on September 2nd, but the adoption of the confirmation report was unsuccessful due to differences in opinion between the ruling and opposition parties regarding his past remarks and career.

Consequently, President Lee Jae-myung requested the National Assembly to resend the report on nominee Choi, citing a governance vacuum.

With the report for nominee Choi being passed under the initiative of the ruling party, President Lee is expected to appoint him soon.