On September 2, 2025, the South Korean National Assembly became the stage for a high-stakes public hearing, drawing sharp lines between political parties and putting the spotlight on the nation’s handling of infectious diseases. The hearing centered on Choi Gyo-jin, the former head of Seoul National University Hospital's infectious disease department, now nominated as the new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education. Choi faced a barrage of questions and criticisms, not just about his professional record but also his personal conduct, as lawmakers and the public alike demanded accountability and clarity in the wake of recent controversies.
According to reports from 공공뉴스 and 천지일보, the hearing was convened to address a storm of allegations against Choi. Chief among them were accusations that he had failed to properly manage infectious disease protocols, leading to public harm and criticism. Choi, in a move that surprised some observers, did not shy away from the scrutiny. Instead, he openly acknowledged the shortcomings in the system and expressed regret for the problems that had occurred under his watch. "I believe we must respect the results of the national investigation and announcement," Choi stated, referring to the official findings on the infectious disease outbreaks. "If anyone was hurt because of what I posted on social media, I sincerely apologize."
Choi’s willingness to apologize extended beyond professional matters. Lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party pressed him on a past incident of drunk driving from 2003, for which he had been fined 2 million won. When questioned by Representative Seo Ji-young about whether drunk driving constituted an unforgivable crime, Choi responded, "I wanted to provide education that saves, not kills, children. After my third dismissal, I made the grave mistake of driving under the influence. It is, without a doubt, the most regrettable decision of my life." This candid admission, reported by 공공뉴스, seemed aimed at diffusing the tension and demonstrating contrition, a strategy that many interpreted as an effort to avoid the fate of his predecessor, Lee Jin-sook, who was forced to withdraw her nomination amid similar controversies.
The hearing was not limited to Choi’s personal history. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle engaged in a heated debate over his qualifications and the broader systemic issues plaguing South Korea’s infectious disease management. The opposition Democratic Party highlighted Choi’s experience as the former superintendent of education for Sejong City, emphasizing his administrative background and expertise. The ruling party, however, zeroed in on Choi’s involvement in spreading conspiracy theories regarding the Cheonan naval vessel incident and questioned his trustworthiness. Choi explained, "I did not share those posts because I distrusted the government or international investigation results, but because I thought it was worth discussing at the time."
Beyond the personal and political drama, the hearing also delved into the technical and policy aspects of infectious disease control. According to 대전일보, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is conducting its own internal investigation and has pledged to strengthen policies governing infectious disease management. The hearing included detailed discussions around the failures that allowed recent outbreaks to occur, with officials and lawmakers alike agreeing on the need for systemic reform. Choi himself emphasized, "This is not a matter of individual fault, but of systemic problems in our infectious disease management." He urged the public and the Assembly to focus on improving the system rather than assigning personal blame.
Choi’s testimony was bolstered by his long-standing involvement in infectious disease control, dating back to 2003. He has previously been recognized for his work in the field, including a 2 million won award for his service. However, as the hearing made clear, past accolades offered little protection from present scrutiny. Lawmakers pressed for transparency and accountability, raising concerns about public trust in the wake of management failures. "The issue of drunk driving is something that deserves the people’s condemnation, regardless of party affiliation," said Kim Young-ho, chair of the Education Committee, while also noting that societal attitudes toward drunk driving were more lenient in the early 2000s. Kim added, "As Mr. Choi has said this is the most shameful mistake of his life, I hope he will remember this and dedicate himself to overcoming it through his work in education policy."
As the hearing progressed, Choi outlined his vision for the future of South Korea’s public education and disease management. "To restore public education, I will prioritize protecting and supporting teachers as my top policy goal," he declared in his opening remarks. He went on to say, "The most important value in education is not winning in competition, but learning how to live together as healthy members of a community." Choi pledged to create schools where students can escape fierce competition and instead learn respect and cooperation. He also committed to using the power of education to drive regional innovation and national balanced development, specifically referencing the government’s ambitious "Ten Seoul National Universities" project—a plan to invest strategically in regional universities to address the educational imbalance between the capital and other regions.
Choi did not shy away from addressing the policy missteps of the current administration, particularly those involving medical school quotas, artificial intelligence textbooks, and the integration of early childhood education. "The problem was not the policies themselves, but the way they were implemented," he acknowledged. "We failed to achieve consensus and persuade stakeholders in the process, and that was a mistake." This frank assessment, as reported by 공공뉴스, suggested a willingness to learn from past errors and to seek a more collaborative approach moving forward.
The public hearing was broadcast live, ensuring that citizens across the country could witness the proceedings firsthand. Coverage by 천지일보 and other media outlets underscored the national significance of the event. The Assembly made it clear that the results of the hearing would inform future reforms in infectious disease management, with a particular focus on improving transparency, accountability, and public trust. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has already indicated plans to implement stricter controls and enhance the overall system in response to the issues raised.
As the day drew to a close, it was clear that the hearing had served not only as a forum for political contest but as a catalyst for much-needed reflection and potential change. Choi Gyo-jin’s fate as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education remains in the hands of the Assembly, but his willingness to apologize, acknowledge systemic failures, and articulate a vision for reform may yet tip the scales in his favor. For a country still grappling with the aftermath of public health crises and political scandals, the promise of greater accountability and a renewed commitment to systemic improvement offered a glimmer of hope amid the tumult.
