Yeo: "Kim Geon-hee's thesis copied from fortune-telling website and Saju Palja blog... A farce that undermines research ethics"

"Reclaim Funding from Kookmin University and Conduct a Special Audit"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Democratic Party and independent members of the Education Committee directly criticized First Lady Kim Geon-hee's thesis, stating, "It has been revealed that the thesis copied and pasted materials from sources that are completely unrecognized in academia, such as fortune-telling websites, Saju Palja blogs, and Happy Campus, without citing the sources."

The lawmakers expressed, "We deeply regret the behavior of stirring up society just to maintain a few theses that are embarrassing to even call theses and trying to cover up the issue with invisible hands, systems, and administration."

They added, "Not only was the source of the materials that Mrs. Kim took without permission problematic, but it was confirmed that all parts of all four theses?including content, sentences, concepts, and ideas?were plagiarized. Kim Geon-hee received her degree by selectively doing only what she was told not to do."

The lawmakers emphasized, "Kookmin University, which effectively encouraged research misconduct by tolerating thesis plagiarism, must immediately comply with the National Assembly and court requests for document submission and have the contents it announced verified. The university must also apologize a hundredfold to current students and alumni whose honor was damaged by the school's wrongful decisions."

They also added that the Ministry of Education should conduct a special audit to determine whether Kookmin University's Research Ethics Committee was properly operated, investigate whether the committee's procedures and schedules were adequately supervised, and hold those responsible accountable. Strong follow-up measures should follow, such as reclaiming Kookmin University's funding, which has lost its value by effectively encouraging research misconduct, and suspending future support.

The lawmakers stressed, "During the national audit, those responsible for this shameful situation will be summoned as witnesses and held accountable." Meanwhile, the press conference was attended by Education Committee members Lee Yong-ho, Do Jong-hwan, Seo Dong-yong, Kang Min-jung, Moon Jung-bok, Min Hyung-bae, and Ahn Min-seok.

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