Lee Ju-ho said, "I'm sorry to be deprived of AI textbook status...Suggestion for reconsideration"

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Lee Ju-ho decided to propose a request for reconsideration after the National Assembly passed the "Amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act," which defines the status of artificial intelligence (AI) digital textbooks as educational materials.

The minister said he was sorry the amendment had been passed without sufficient discussion and coordination, and said he planned to propose a request for reconsideration once it was transferred to the government.

He also emphasized that AI textbooks can bridge the educational gap between regions and schools and provide equal educational opportunities for students when used as textbooks.

In the case of educational materials other than textbooks, they are not subject to free or compulsory education, so they choose whether to introduce them or not depending on the school's finances.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education announced the results of the examination last month after deciding to fully introduce AI textbooks for English, math, and information subjects for 3rd and 4th graders in elementary schools and 1st graders in middle and high schools in the first semester of next year.

However, opposition lawmakers proposed the revision because they were not prepared enough to introduce AI textbooks for the first semester of next year and could not target students for AI education.