logo
South Korea's Lee retracts education minister nomination over plagiarism row

South Korea's Lee retracts education minister nomination over plagiarism row

South Korean president Lee Jae-myung has withdrawn his nomination of Lee Jin-sook for education minister, the presidential office said Sunday, amid allegations of thesis plagiarism and mounting concerns over her fitness to lead Korea's public education system.
In contrast, the presidential office signalled that gender equality minister nominee Kang Sun-woo, who has also faced public scrutiny over a series of workplace abuse allegations, would be appointed as planned.
'After comprehensive reviews and consultations with leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, President Lee has decided to withdraw the nomination of Lee Jin-sook,' presidential secretary for political affairs Woo Sang-ho said during a press conference at the presidential office in Seoul.
'We urge the National Assembly to respect the president's decision and take prompt follow-up measures.'
The former president of Chungnam National University had faced criticism over allegations that she plagiarised a former student's thesis. However, she denied the claim, saying media reports were based on a misunderstanding of the academic context.
She was also under scrutiny over suspected legal violations in the process of sending her daughter to study abroad.
Citing these issues, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) strongly denounced her as unfit for the ministerial post.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Own the story': China urged to control narrative and engage Asia to counteract the West
‘Own the story': China urged to control narrative and engage Asia to counteract the West

South China Morning Post

time36 minutes ago

  • South China Morning Post

‘Own the story': China urged to control narrative and engage Asia to counteract the West

China must leverage its new cultural symbols and stay open to interacting with scholars across Asia to reshape its global messaging, Chinese experts have said, urging Beijing to counterbalance what they say is a historically dominant Western narrative. They also noted that Beijing should take a more proactive role in shaping international rules and norms in emerging fields to align soft power with China's growth, especially as the foundations of the United States' hard power appeared increasingly fragile. Zheng Yongnian , a prominent political scientist, said China must take a leading role in shaping the 'Asian narrative' with an open and inclusive mind, invite more Asian scholars to engage, seek common ground and promote dialogue to push back against an entrenched dominance of Western discourse. 13:27 'Made in China 2025': how has the nation changed 10 years after setting its manufacturing blueprint? 'Made in China 2025': how has the nation changed 10 years after setting its manufacturing blueprint? Asian values were rooted in the principle of 'harmony and diversity' and the region should return to its tradition of consensus-based politics, he said in an interview published on July 17 by China International Communications Group (CICG) Asia-Pacific, a state-owned organisation operated by the Communist Party's Central Propaganda Department. 'For a long time, Western discourse held absolute dominance, and most Chinese scholars were educated within that framework. As a result, China had struggled to project its voice internationally. Today, that is beginning to change – but it will take time,' he said. 'China must take the lead in the next stage of shaping an Asian discourse. We must approach this with an open mindset. You can't have a ready-made narrative to forcibly impose on others – like the US does.' As global power dynamics change – with the US shifting from international engagement to a more domestic focus, and emerging economies, such as the Global South and the Brics bloc, seeking a more active role in global governance – discourse power has become a key arena of international competition, according to experts.

Malaysia drags feet on vape ban as youth lung damage fears mount
Malaysia drags feet on vape ban as youth lung damage fears mount

South China Morning Post

timean hour ago

  • South China Morning Post

Malaysia drags feet on vape ban as youth lung damage fears mount

Malaysians have accused the government of dragging its feet over a full ban on vapes , saying the health damage inflicted on smokers of electronic cigarettes, especially the young, is abundantly clear with prematurely damaged lungs among the horror stories shared by them. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has said his ministry will commission a study involving the finance, domestic and international trade ministries before suggesting a potential nationwide ban on vapes, despite six of Malaysia 's thirteen states already enforcing their separate prohibition. His suggestion has been seen by some Malaysians as another flip-flop approach by the government towards the money-spinning e-cigarette industry. Malaysia has removed liquid nicotine from the poison list, which critics say has opened the floodgates of unrestricted sales to minors. It has also shied away from a total ban on tobacco use. Hafidz Halim, a 34-year-old engineer who has three school-age children, said vape use was becoming increasingly accessible, with the pen-sized devices easily concealed and brought into schools. 'My friends and I have to actively go through our children's belongings to see if they have it on them,' Hafidz told This Week in Asia.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store