Seoul National University Professors' Association: "Ministry of Education's Reason for 'Jo Guk Disciplinary Suspension' Is President's Minor Disciplinary Action... Must Withdraw Immediately"

Professor Association "Unfair Demand for President's Discipline... Infringement on University Autonomy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The Seoul National University (SNU) Faculty Council immediately protested after it was revealed that the Ministry of Education requested the university to impose a minor disciplinary action on President Oh Se-jung in relation to SNU's decision to withhold disciplinary measures against former law school professor Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges including abuse of authority.

On the 9th, the SNU Faculty Council issued a statement saying, "The Ministry of Education is infringing on the university's autonomy by making unjust demands for the president's disciplinary action and mass administrative sanctions against faculty members," and urged, "The Ministry of Education should immediately withdraw these demands."

They continued, "University faculty members are required to uphold a high level of morality, and all responsibility for any wrongdoing lies with the individual involved. However, disciplinary actions must be conducted fairly, following prescribed procedures, with thorough fact-finding, appropriate severity, and full protection of the subject's human rights."

They also pointed out, "The Ministry of Education must be aware that if the matter is being contested in court, the president cannot rashly demand disciplinary action. Therefore, the Ministry's demand for disciplinary measures against the president is extremely unjust."

It is known that the Ministry of Education conducted an audit of SNU in September last year and notified the university of the results last month, also requesting a minor disciplinary action against President Oh.

This is the first time since the incorporation of SNU in 2011 that the university president has been subject to a disciplinary request from the Ministry of Education, and SNU has filed an objection to the Ministry's demand for a minor disciplinary action.

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