Expertise Likely to Take Precedence over Internal Party Appointments in the Democratic Party

As President-elect Lee Jae-myung prepares to take office and begins the process of selecting cabinet members for the new government, the competition surrounding the position of Deputy Prime Minister of Education is heating up. In particular, there is speculation that individuals with expertise in education policy and a deep understanding of the field will be prioritized over political figures, as the President-elect expressed during the election period that he would avoid relying too heavily on close aides.

Among the prominent figures currently being considered are Lee Nam-ho, former president of the Jeonbuk Research Institute, and Kang Min-jeong, a former member of the National Assembly. Lee Nam-ho, who previously served as the president of Jeonbuk University, is an expert in the field of higher education, having provided systematic diagnoses and alternatives for issues such as the crisis facing local universities due to declining student populations and university restructuring. He is highly regarded for his work at the Jeonbuk Research Institute, where he has addressed sustainable development strategies linking the region, universities, and industry, demonstrating an ability to encompass both education and regional policies. Additionally, it is known that he has been involved in research meetings with experts from various levels of elementary and secondary education for a long time, and his connection with Lee Han-joo, the head of the Democratic Research Institute, is also considered a significant factor.

On the other hand, Kang Min-jeong, a former member of the National Assembly, is a leading figure in public education policy. Coming from a teaching background, she has both engaged in civil society activities and served on the National Assembly's Education Committee, actively advocating for progressive education agendas such as a cautious approach to the introduction of the high school credit system, narrowing educational disparities, and expanding childcare policies. Especially in the current debate over the transition in education policies such as digital textbooks and flexible schools, Kang's advocacy for the restoration of the public nature of education is significant. She is classified as an individual whose views align with the policy direction of the Lee Jae-myung government, which emphasizes the normalization of public education.

Various other individuals are also being mentioned in the discussions, clouding the outline of the appointments. Kim Young-ho, a member of the Democratic Party and chairman of the National Assembly's Education Committee, is considered a heavyweight candidate with a background in legislative adjustments and a comprehensive understanding of education policy. However, the possibility of appointments centered around political figures conflicts with the President-elect's stance, making the actual likelihood of such appointments fluid.

Representative Baek Seung-a, a former elementary school teacher and an expert in the field, represents the voice of the young education sector. Through her activities with the Teachers' Union, she has consistently raised issues related to school democracy, the balance between educational authority and student rights, and has recently emphasized the need for practical intervention from a field perspective on expanding childcare and the necessity of AI digital education environments. She is being recognized as someone who can translate on-the-ground sensibilities into policy.

Lee Han-joo, the head of the Democratic Research Institute, who is evaluated as the key policy brain of President-elect Lee Jae-myung, is also being mentioned as a candidate for Deputy Prime Minister of Education. Having served as the head of the Gyeonggi Research Institute and the policy director of the Central Committee, he has dealt with various policy areas, including education, and has overseen the implementation of the new government's education promises such as digital transformation and the establishment of a lifelong learning system. However, he is also being considered as a candidate for the role of Chief of the Presidential Policy Office, making it a crucial point to observe whether he will be appointed as Deputy Prime Minister of Education.

Within and outside the education sector, it is believed that the appointment of the Deputy Prime Minister of Education this time holds more significance than just filling a position. This is because the criteria for appointments are expected to be based on what educational philosophy the new government will adopt to steer the direction of education reform and whether it will prioritize policy capacity over political considerations. The education agenda of the new government is far from light, with major issues such as the introduction of AI-based digital textbooks, the controversy surrounding flexible schools like Rebox School, the push for normalization of the high school credit system, and the problem of university restructuring due to a sharp decline in the student population. In this situation, the individuals who possess practical policy adjustment abilities and an understanding of the field, as well as who the Lee Jae-myung government will prioritize based on what values, are expected to be the key factors in the appointments.

The Jeonbuk Joint Education Commission stated, "At present, the continuity of policies and their feasibility are more important than political rewards or factional considerations," and expressed that individuals appointed should understand and have the practical drive to address education issues ranging from early childhood education to higher education.