Seoul: Education Minister nominee Lee Jin-sook apologized Wednesday over allegations of unlawfully sending her daughter to study abroad at an early age and committing academic plagiarism. Lee's second daughter, now 33, was sent to study in the United States in 2007, when she was in her third year of middle school, in violation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that stipulates compulsory education up to middle school.

According to Yonhap News Agency, during her confirmation hearing, Lee expressed that she was "sincerely sorry" but emphasized she was not aware at the time that her actions violated the law. Her daughter's departure to the U.S. could have been legal if at least one of her parents had accompanied her abroad. However, the minister nominee and her husband were both staying at home at that time. Violators of the law are subject to a fine of less than 1 million won (US$730).

Lee also apologized for allegations of academic misconduct, including possible plagiarism involving a thesis written by her student and duplicate publication of her own research work.