Promised to Gather Public Opinion... Park Soon-ae Silent in Response to Reporters' Questions

Left hurriedly after announcing academic operation plan
Refused all questions usually handled after briefing

On the 4th, Deputy Prime Minister Park Soon-ae moved without answering reporters' questions after briefing on the academic operation plan for the second semester at the Sejong Government Complex. While hurriedly moving, Deputy Prime Minister Park's shoe came off. (Photo by Segye Ilbo)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Park Soon-ae remained silent and refused to answer reporters' questions as controversy continued following the announcement of the school system reform plan.

On the 4th, Deputy Prime Minister Park read only her opening remarks at the '2022 Academic Year 2nd Semester Academic Operation Plan' briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong and then left.

It is customary to take two or so questions immediately after a briefing, but Deputy Prime Minister Park did not take questions from the press corps that day and hurriedly left, citing a schedule in Seoul.

On the 4th, after the announcement of the second semester academic operation plan held at the briefing room of the Government Sejong Complex, Deputy Prime Minister Park Soon-ae is moving without taking questions from reporters. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Right after the briefing, reporters asked Deputy Prime Minister Park, "Why are you not taking questions?" and "If the school system reform plan is not publicized, are you willing to resign?" but she did not respond to the questions.

When Deputy Prime Minister Park's shoe slipped off as she hurriedly moved to avoid reporters, she put it back on and only said, "Sorry."

When asked to answer questions about the controversy over the school system reform, Deputy Prime Minister Park said, "If you take a break and come back, I will answer."

Deputy Prime Minister Park marked one month in office on the 4th but has been facing difficulties due to the school system reform plan announced without prior discussion. After her appointment, allegations of drunk driving, duplicate publication of papers, and suspicions of consulting for her children's college entrance were raised.

On the 30th of last month, Park announced the school system reform plan to admit 5-year-olds to elementary school during the Ministry of Education's work report, and at a meeting with parent groups on the 2nd, just four days later, she said, "If the public truly says no to this policy (lowering the school starting age to 5), I think it can be scrapped," adding, "Policies can be revised, changed, or switched."

Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and Chairperson of the National Association of Metropolitan and Provincial Superintendents of Education, pointed out, "Policies announced thoughtlessly without discussion between metropolitan and provincial offices of education and the Ministry of Education only bring confusion to the education field," adding, "The damage is borne entirely by our students. I believe the Ministry of Education is well aware of this."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.