@article{ART003274377},
author={Lee Sang hoon},
title={The Development Direction of the National Education Commission - Focusing on Political Independence and Redesign of the Social Consensus Structure -},
journal={Legal Theory & Practice Review},
issn={2288-1840},
year={2025},
volume={13},
number={4},
pages={13-53}
TY - JOUR
AU - Lee Sang hoon
TI - The Development Direction of the National Education Commission - Focusing on Political Independence and Redesign of the Social Consensus Structure -
JO - Legal Theory & Practice Review
PY - 2025
VL - 13
IS - 4
PB - The Korea Society for Legal Theory and Practice Inc.
SP - 13
EP - 53
SN - 2288-1840
AB - This study critically examines the structural limitations that have hindered the National Education Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea from fulfilling its founding mission of securing policy consistency and political neutrality in national education governance. Although the NEC was established in 2022 with high expectations for long-term educational planning and cross-partisan consensus, it has faced growing criticism for its weakened authority, politicized membership, and administrative inefficacy as of 2025. Based on legal analysis, institutional review, and governance theory, this study identifies five core structural challenges: an ambiguous legal status subordinate to the executive branch, politically biased committee composition, functional overlap and conflict with the Ministry of Education, ineffective public participation mechanisms, and a lack of internal policy expertise and budgetary independence.
To address these challenges, this paper proposes a set of five integrated reform strategies: (1) re-establishing the NEC’s legal foundation as a constitutionally protected or National Assembly-affiliated independent body; (2) restructuring the committee’s composition through cross-nomination and enhanced representativeness; (3) institutionalizing policy linkages and functional division with the Ministry of Education; (4) formalizing public deliberation and participatory decision-making procedures; and (5) strengthening internal capacity through independent budgeting and in-house policy research infrastructure. This study argues that the NEC’s sustainability as an educational governance institution depends not only on technical institutional design but also on broader reforms in political culture and administrative coordination. Ultimately, rebuilding trust in the NEC requires a fundamental shift toward collaborative, inclusive, and transparent policy-making for the future of education in Korea.
KW - National Education Commission;policy consistency;political neutrality;social consensus;policy implementation capacity;education policy governance;public participation.
DO -
UR -
ER -
Lee Sang hoon. (2025). The Development Direction of the National Education Commission - Focusing on Political Independence and Redesign of the Social Consensus Structure -. Legal Theory & Practice Review, 13(4), 13-53.
Lee Sang hoon. 2025, "The Development Direction of the National Education Commission - Focusing on Political Independence and Redesign of the Social Consensus Structure -", Legal Theory & Practice Review, vol.13, no.4 pp.13-53.
Lee Sang hoon "The Development Direction of the National Education Commission - Focusing on Political Independence and Redesign of the Social Consensus Structure -" Legal Theory & Practice Review 13.4 pp.13-53 (2025) : 13.
Lee Sang hoon. The Development Direction of the National Education Commission - Focusing on Political Independence and Redesign of the Social Consensus Structure -. 2025; 13(4), 13-53.
Lee Sang hoon. "The Development Direction of the National Education Commission - Focusing on Political Independence and Redesign of the Social Consensus Structure -" Legal Theory & Practice Review 13, no.4 (2025) : 13-53.
Lee Sang hoon. The Development Direction of the National Education Commission - Focusing on Political Independence and Redesign of the Social Consensus Structure -. Legal Theory & Practice Review, 13(4), 13-53.
Lee Sang hoon. The Development Direction of the National Education Commission - Focusing on Political Independence and Redesign of the Social Consensus Structure -. Legal Theory & Practice Review. 2025; 13(4) 13-53.
Lee Sang hoon. The Development Direction of the National Education Commission - Focusing on Political Independence and Redesign of the Social Consensus Structure -. 2025; 13(4), 13-53.
Lee Sang hoon. "The Development Direction of the National Education Commission - Focusing on Political Independence and Redesign of the Social Consensus Structure -" Legal Theory & Practice Review 13, no.4 (2025) : 13-53.
