Yoo Eun-hye: "Park Ji-won Academic Fraud Allegation Direct Investigation Ineffective"

Revealed at the Education Committee Plenary Meeting
"Lack of Grounds for Ministry of Education's Investigation and Audit"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye expressed a negative view regarding the allegations of academic forgery against Park Ji-won, the nominee for the Director of the National Intelligence Service, stating that "it is difficult to meet the conditions necessary to conduct an investigation."

On the 28th, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo appeared at the National Assembly Education Committee plenary session and responded to a question from Kim Byung-wook of the United Future Party, asking, "Is there a plan to audit the illegal circumstances related to Park's transfer admission process?" by saying, "Investigations and audits by the Ministry of Education and other administrative bodies must be approached cautiously and based on clear evidence."

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo continued, "This happened 55 years ago, and there is no one who can verify the academic records or degrees," adding, "Regarding whether an investigation or audit is possible or meaningful, the situation can only be viewed negatively."

The United Future Party claims that Park, who graduated from the two-year Gwangju National University of Education, forged his academic records to appear as if he graduated from the four-year Chosun University when transferring to Dankook University in 1965. They are demanding an audit at the Ministry of Education level concerning this matter.

In response to related questions from United Future Party lawmaker Jung Kyung-hee, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, "If there is a clear problem based on systems and standards, an investigation can be requested, but considering the candidate's explanations, it is presumed to be true," adding, "The minimum conditions for an investigation are not met, making it difficult to guarantee the effectiveness of such an investigation."

The National Assembly Intelligence Committee adopted the personnel hearing report for Park Ji-won, the nominee for the Director of the National Intelligence Service, solely by the Democratic Party of Korea, as the United Future Party was absent.

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