113 Graduates of Kookmin University File Class Action Lawsuit for 'Kim Geonhee Thesis Verification Negligence'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A group of 113 graduates from Kookmin University filed a class-action lawsuit against the school foundation Kookmin Academy, claiming that the graduates' honor was damaged because the university failed to properly verify the thesis of Kim Geon-hee, wife of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.

The 'Emergency Response Committee of Kookmin University Alumni Urging the Review of Kim Geon-hee's Thesis' (ERC), formed by Kookmin University graduates, announced on the 4th, "We have filed a lawsuit at the Seoul Southern District Court demanding 300,000 KRW per person in mental damages from Kookmin Academy."

The graduates argued, "Kookmin University has not clearly stated its position on conducting a full investigation into research misconduct regarding Kim's thesis, leading to widespread public distrust in the degree conferral process at Kookmin University and causing significant negative social perceptions toward Kookmin degree holders."

The ERC stated that despite the university having sufficient time to verify the thesis, it avoided the promised verification, and therefore, regardless of the recent official letter submitted by Kookmin University to the Ministry of Education outlining plans for re-examination of Kim's thesis, the group will continue with the class-action lawsuit.

Additionally, to prove that the Preliminary Investigation Committee of the Kookmin University Research Ethics Committee did not conduct adequate deliberations, the ERC has requested a document submission order for the minutes of the committee's meetings.

Kim Jun-hong, chairman of the ERC, said, "It is difficult to view Kookmin University's belated verification decision as an act in line with the university's fundamental role and conscience, so we will proceed with the class-action lawsuit separately from the official letter submitted to the Ministry of Education."

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