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Lee Withdraws Education Minister Nomination and Presses Ahead With Gender Equality Pick

Lee requested the National Assembly report on Kang Sun-woo’s hearing to secure her appointment following closed-door consultations with party leaders.

Kang Sun-woo, the nominee to head the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, speaks during a parliamentary confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, in this file photo taken July 14, 2025. (Yonhap)
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Overview

  • President Lee formally withdrew Lee Jin-sook’s nomination for education minister on July 20 after confirmation hearings revealed allegations of underage study abroad and academic plagiarism.
  • On July 22, Lee asked the National Assembly to send the confirmation hearing report for Kang Sun-woo, signaling his intention to appoint her as gender equality and family minister despite opposition refusal to adopt the report.
  • Opposition lawmakers, led by the People Power Party, demanded the cancellation of both nominations over ethical controversies, but Lee declined to withdraw Kang Sun-woo’s pick.
  • Under parliamentary procedure, Lee may proceed unilaterally with Kang’s appointment if the Assembly fails to submit her hearing report within the newly designated deadline.
  • Lee’s approval rating remains at 64 percent according to Gallup Korea, with only 11 percent of detractors citing his cabinet selections as their main concern.