Education Committee, Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over 'Kim Geon-hee's Thesis'

On the 19th, Oh Se-jung, President of Seoul National University, attended the National Assembly's audit on Seoul National University and others, and after taking the oath as a witness, he submitted the oath statement to Yoo Ki-hong, Chairman of the Education Committee. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] During the National Assembly audit on the 19th targeting national university corporations such as Seoul National University, Incheon National University, Korea National Open University, and Seoul National University Hospital, members of the Education Committee from both ruling and opposition parties engaged in a tense exchange regarding the witness selection for Kim Geon-hee's doctoral thesis at Kookmin University.

On that day, Ahn Min-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, requested materials related to Professor Jeon Seung-gyu of Kookmin University, who was Kim's doctoral thesis advisor and examiner. Following this, Min Hyung-bae, an independent lawmaker who caused controversy by 'covertly leaving' the Democratic Party, pointed out, "Professor Jeon is a key figure in the Kim Geon-hee doctoral thesis incident, but he continues to avoid the audit, making it difficult to uncover the truth."

Previously, the Democratic Party had unilaterally adopted witness requests for Kookmin University President Im Hong-jae, Chairman Kim Ji-yong, and Professor Jeon without bipartisan agreement. However, Professor Jeon was absent citing 'hospitalization treatment' as the reason.

Rep. Min further stated, "In connection with the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation, Kookmin University made investments, and the semiconductor department's enrollment rate at Kookmin University is overwhelmingly higher than at other universities. There is a considerable connection between (Kim Geon-hee) obtaining her degree and subsequent national policies, which strongly suggests the possibility of irregularities."

He then raised his voice, saying, "If Professor Jeon does not appear by the comprehensive audit, a public hearing for Kookmin University must be held."

In response, Lee Tae-gyu, a ruling party secretary, said, "I do not agree with the opposition party treating a witness who has not been agreed upon by both parties as a fait accompli," adding, "Regarding the involvement of Kookmin University in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation, the Ministry of Education conducted a special audit during the previous administration and found no issues. I request Rep. Min to exercise caution in linking Deutsche Motors stock manipulation to Kookmin University."

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