Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Responds to Controversy Over 'Medical School Expansion Survey by Assembly Member's Office' with "Cooperation as a Matter of Custom"

Request for Survey Cooperation from Assemblyman Kang Deuk-gu's Office
Official Letter Distributed to Elementary, Middle, and High Schools in Seoul

"Not Government Officials' Election Interference" Explanation
Calls for Education Superintendent's Resignation Arise

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education clarified its position after a survey on 'medical school quota expansion,' conducted by a member of the National Assembly's office and distributed to various metropolitan and provincial offices of education, sparked controversy, stating that it was "cooperation in legislative activities."

On the 16th, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education stated in a press release, "Our cooperation with the request from the National Assembly member is completely unrelated to the political orientation of the Superintendent of Education," and emphasized, "There was no involvement of public officials in elections or violation of political neutrality."

They further explained, "The survey officially requested through the legislative activity system by the member's office was communicated via a home correspondence letter," and "It is customary to distribute surveys requested by National Assembly members without any modifications."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The previous day, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education distributed an official letter requesting cooperation for a 'survey related to the expansion of medical school quotas,' which was requested by Kang Deuk-gu, a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, to teachers, parents, and high school students in Seoul's elementary, middle, and high schools. At that time, Representative Kang explained the purpose of the survey, saying, "There are both welcoming and concerned voices regarding the increase in medical school admission quotas."

In response, some criticized the survey itself as inappropriate. Kim Jong-gil, spokesperson for the People Power Party in the Seoul Metropolitan Council, issued a statement demanding the resignation of Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, calling it "a political provocation to distort the current government's policy aimed at resolving medical disparities between the metropolitan area and provinces and expanding essential medical personnel."

As the controversy spread, Representative Kang also responded in a statement that day, saying, "As a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee, it is a natural role and duty to ask the public and the education community for their opinions," and "This survey regarding the expansion of medical school quotas was also developed with expert consultation to prepare questions as objectively and neutrally as possible."

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