Kookmin University Ultimately Reinvestigates Kim Geon-hee's Thesis... Will Gachon University Follow the Same Path?

Kookmin University "Verification Completed by February 15 Next Year"
Kookmin University Emergency Committee "Verification Should Be Expedited and Composition Disclosed"
Gachon University "Lee Jae-myung's Master's Thesis Is Not Subject to Review"
Ministry of Education Demands Submission of Thesis Verification Plan by the 18th

On the 8th of last month, the Emergency Measures Committee of Kookmin University alumni held placards demanding a reinvestigation of Ms. Kim Geon-hee's thesis and criticizing the school's response. (Photo by Kookmin University Alumni Emergency Measures Committee)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Kookmin University has decided to complete the reinvestigation of four papers related to Kim Geon-hee, the wife of Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, by February next year. Gachon University must also submit measures regarding the verification of the thesis and degree of Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, by the 18th of this month.

Kookmin University to Complete Reinvestigation by February Next Year... Emergency Committee Demands "Disclose the Composition of the Reinvestigation Committee"

On the 3rd, Kookmin University submitted a plan for re-verification of theses to the Ministry of Education and sent an official letter stating that it would form a reinvestigation committee and complete the verification by February 15 next year. The papers to be verified by Kookmin University include one degree thesis and three academic papers.

In July, when plagiarism allegations arose regarding Kim’s doctoral thesis, Kookmin University initially refused to verify the thesis citing the expiration of the verification period. However, following the Ministry of Education’s request and strong criticism, the university reversed its stance. Separately from the thesis verification, Kookmin University is also conducting an internal investigation into the review process of Kim’s doctoral thesis.

After Kookmin University announced its reinvestigation plan, the university’s Emergency Countermeasures Committee urged that the verification investigation be expedited to restore the university’s honor.

The Emergency Committee stated, "The university authorities should disclose the principles regarding the composition of the reinvestigation committee. We propose excluding professors from the existing Research Ethics Committee who have already lost trust and forming the reinvestigation committee with reputable external figures through a transparent process."

They added, "Although the guideline states that thesis verification investigations should be completed within 90 days and the university said it would finish by February 15, there is no reason to delay this issue for long. We urge a prompt conclusion based on a precise and objective investigation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Last month, during the National Assembly’s Education Committee audit, there were numerous demands to conduct an audit targeting Kookmin University. The university faced intense scrutiny during the audit due to various allegations related to Kim. It was revealed that the university submitted falsified meeting minutes despite the requirement for board approval when purchasing 240,000 shares of Deutsch Motors.

In response, the Ministry of Education plans to conduct a special audit on Kookmin University this month regarding the purchase of Deutsch Motors shares, the degree conferral process at the Techno Design Graduate School, and faculty personnel management. However, the audit results are expected to be released next year.

Round Two is Gachon University... Must Submit Measures on Lee Jae-myung’s Thesis and Degree by the 18th

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, attended a meeting for the development of the stock market and protection of individual investors held at the Korea Exchange in Yeouido, Seoul on the 4th. Before entering the meeting room, he posed in front of the bull statue symbolizing a booming stock market. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Gachon University is also facing demands for verification concerning Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, over his master’s thesis. The Ministry of Education requested Gachon University to submit its position, but the university responded that it is not subject to review.

On the 2nd, Gachon University conveyed to the Ministry of Education that it maintains the 2016 ruling that Lee Jae-myung, former governor of Gyeonggi Province, is not subject to review regarding his master’s thesis.

In 2014, when plagiarism allegations arose concerning Lee’s master’s thesis, he expressed his intention to return the degree, but in August 2016, Gachon University decided that the thesis and master’s degree were valid, citing the absence of relevant regulations.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Education has demanded that Gachon University submit a plan for verification of Lee Jae-myung’s thesis and degree conferral process by the 18th of this month.

The Ministry of Education pointed out, "Gachon University’s position does not align with the Ministry’s stance on establishing research ethics and does not comply with the verification period standard abolished in 2011."

Separately, the Ministry of Education is strengthening related regulations as universities have been passive in responding to a series of plagiarism allegations. Previously, the Ministry deleted the verification period from the guidelines for securing research ethics in 2011, but many institutions, including Kookmin University, have not reflected the revised guidelines and instead maintain verification periods through supplementary provisions.

The Ministry of Education began a legislative notice on the amendment of the ‘Enforcement Decree of the Academic Promotion Act’ on the 3rd. The decree specifies that the Minister of Education can require universities to revise their internal regulations. It also includes provisions allowing the Ministry to directly investigate cases where allegations of research misconduct have significant public interest.

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