In December 2013, 12 writers of Korean History textbooks alleged that an administrative order to revise 6 Korean History textbooks was illegal and filed an administrative order cancellation lawsuit. Representing the Ministry of Education in a lawsuit that took over a year, Lee & Ko successfully obtained dismissal of all claims on April 2, 2015.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that the administrative order by the Ministry of Education to revise the textbooks not only violated the procedure but also enforced certain historical views upon the plaintiffs and severely infringed on their freedom. Lee & Ko defended the position that the order was in accordance with the relevant laws and the precedents of the Korean Supreme Court. It further argued that the purpose of the order to revise the textbooks was to clarify certain phrases or expressions that may be misinterpreted or to accurately state historical facts; hence, it was within the authority of the Ministry of Education. The court agreed with Lee & Ko’s argument and held that the administrative order to revise was issued lawfully and fairly in terms of its procedure and contents.