[2023 National Audit] Lee Ju-ho: "I will firmly eradicate the private education cartel"

"Strengthening Qualification Criteria for CSAT Question Committee Members"

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho stated regarding the issue of the 'private education cartel,' "We will take this opportunity to eradicate it completely."

On the 11th, during the Education Committee's audit at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, in response to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Jeong Gyeong-hee, who emphasized that "correcting the private education market is essential for public education to find its rightful place," Lee said, "The cartel must be completely eradicated and is an unforgivable crime."

He added, "When President Yoon Seok-yeol first mentioned it, the public was skeptical, but the private education cartel has now been exposed to the world." He continued, "While public education is collapsing due to school violence and the decline of teachers' authority, private education is becoming an enormous burden," pointing out that "we are caught in a vicious cycle where public education is deteriorating and private education is increasing."

Lee further stated, "We will break this vicious cycle as soon as possible, strengthen the competitiveness of public education, sufficiently suppress private education, and alleviate the burden on parents."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lawmaker Jeong criticized the suspicion of collusion between teachers who create the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) and private education, saying, "Considering the very narrow pool of CSAT question setters and the situation where high tuition fees are charged by targeting the CSAT with information obtained, it appears that the group monopolizing CSAT information has solidified a cartel structure."

In response, Minister Lee referred to the countermeasures against private education and entrance exam cartels included in the '2028 College Admission Reform Plan' announced the previous day, stating, "We will form a pool of question setters, strengthen qualification standards, and conduct prior checks on tax records to ensure the group is composed of individuals with no suspicion of illicit transactions."

He also urged, "For these measures to be properly enforced, legislation is necessary," and requested, "I ask for the cooperation of the National Assembly."

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