GIST Leadership, President Kim Gi-seon Faces Resignation Pressure... Board to Decide His Position

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] With the board meeting that will decide the fate of Kim Gi-seon, President of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST, Jiseuteu), who is embroiled in a controversy over research allowance acceptance, just five days away, key officials including department heads and vice presidents are joining forces to strengthen the call for the president's resignation.

According to GIST on the 26th, the acceptance of President Kim's resignation will be decided at the 129th regular board meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 30th in the large conference room on the second floor of the administration building.

The board meeting will be attended by 15 members, including Chairperson Im Soo-kyung, professors, and external personnel.

Earlier, Chairperson Im visited GIST for a one-night, two-day schedule on the 24th to investigate various allegations surrounding President Kim and the circumstances of his resignation announcement.

During this process, meetings were held with key officials including the president, and it was reported that some department heads and vice presidents expressed to Chairperson Im their hope that President Kim would resign.

As President Kim retracted his resignation and the controversy surrounding him expanded, some department heads requested voluntary resignations, but when these were not accepted, they reportedly conveyed the same opinion again to the chairperson, who holds the key to processing the resignation.

Inside GIST, following the labor union, even some officials appointed by President Kim have reached the point of demanding his resignation.

However, President Kim is reportedly determined to complete the remaining two years of his term.

The president's position is expected to be finally decided at the board meeting scheduled for the 30th.

A GIST member said, “It is embarrassing and disheartening to even question whether President Kim, who neglects school management and only looks out for his own interests, is qualified to be president,” adding, “I hope the board confirms President Kim's resignation and this incident is resolved quickly.”

Meanwhile, in a mid-term evaluation survey of the president conducted by the labor union targeting all staff, President Kim received an average score of 35.2 out of 100, close to a failing grade.

Subsequently, allegations were raised one after another that he received a large amount of research allowances and, considering his retirement, amended the operation standards for retired faculty accounts and the honorary professor regulations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.