Education Minister Set To Resign

Yun Deok-hong, the deputy premier and minister of education and human resources development, submitted his resignation to President Roh Moo-hyun on December 17.

“I submitted my resignation to take responsibility for the polarizing clash over the New Education Information System (NEIS), the dispute over a CSAT question possibly bearing two correct answers, and the dispute over the nationwide distribution of CDs of high school academic records,” said Yun in a press conference.

“Although I once considered quitting the post when the Grand National Party passed a resolution requesting my dismissal in the National Assembly, I decided to resolve the disputes first,” said the outgoing minister, adding, “With the impending issues in national education generally addressed, I believe I have completed my mandate.”

Asked whether he will run in the National Assembly elections next year, Yun answered, “Although the president and the Uri Party strongly proposed me to run and although civil-society and reformist groups in Daegu strongly called for me to play a leading role there, I told the president that I have no political skills.”

Yun, the first education minister under the new government whom President Roh publicly said would remain in the post until his five-year term expires, resigned after nine months in office. The average stint of a minister under the Kim Dae-jung administration was about 8.5 months.

Prof. Park Seil of Seoul National University, former education minister Ahn Byung-young, former assistant education minister Kim Sin-bok, Prof. Kim Sin-il of Seoul National University, General Secretary Yi Hyun-chong of the Korea College Education Association, and Chairman Chun Seong-eun of the Presidential Committee on Education Innovation are among the candidates who are under consideration to succeed Yun.

Seong-Chul Hong sungchul@donga.com