[2023 National Audit] Lee Ju-ho "Will not promote autonomous major department → medical school admission... Apologize for imprudent remarks"

Apology at the Education Committee's National Audit on the 20th
Further Explanation Following 'Presidential Office Reprimand'

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho apologized at the National Assembly audit session, saying, "I am sorry to the public for my imprudent remarks," regarding his statement that he had reviewed the 'plan for medical school admission after entering the university's autonomous major department,' which drew criticism from the President.

On the morning of the 20th, during the National Assembly Education Committee audit, Minister Lee stated, "An article in a media interview reported that I was reviewing plans for students who entered the autonomous major department to advance to medical school and was in consultation with universities, which caused controversy."

He added, "The idea I mentioned was proposed by several university presidents as a measure to prevent concentration in medical school admissions," and said, "Considering the significant concerns that it could undermine fairness and stability in university admissions, the Ministry of Education will not pursue this as a policy." He further stated, "I will provide a detailed explanation at the audit on the 26th."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho is attending the National Assembly Education Committee's audit on the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 19th, Minister Lee made a controversial remark in an interview with a media outlet, saying that "we are reviewing a plan to allow students who enter the autonomous major department without selecting a university major to transfer to medical-related fields in their third year."

The Presidential Office refuted this on the same day in a briefing, stating, "This has not been reviewed by the government at all, nor is there any plan to do so." They explained, "President Yoon Seok-yeol reprimanded the Ministry of Education for causing confusion with unnecessary remarks." In response, the Ministry of Education also clarified in a statement that "the idea mentioned was proposed by several universities" and "it is not being pursued as a policy measure."

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