Chonnam National University Graduate Student Death Case... Police Book Academic Advisor for 'Abuse of Authority'

Investigation Expands After Bereaved Family Files Complaint Over Misuse of Research Funds
Calls for Ending Professors' Abuse of Power Raised at National Assembly Audit

Police investigating the death of a graduate student at Chonnam National University have additionally booked the professor identified as the perpetrator.

The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Investigation Unit of the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 29th that Professor A, the student's academic advisor at Chonnam National University, has been booked on charges of abuse of authority and is under investigation. The probe has expanded after the bereaved family recently filed a complaint alleging that research personnel expenses were used for personal purposes.

Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency.

Police are investigating whether Professor A instructed the graduate student to open and manage an expense account, and whether he had external individuals who did not contribute to the research listed as co-authors on papers. The investigation is also ongoing into Research Professor B from the same lab, who has already been booked on charges of continuing to demand lab work from the student even after employment. Police have secured the graduate student's mobile phone and tablet PC and have identified the specific timing of the related actions.

Previously, on the 22nd, during the National Assembly's Education Committee audit held at Chonbuk National University, this case emerged as a major issue. Kim Junhyeok, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "There have been cases where graduate students took their own lives due to professors' excessive demands and coercive work," and emphasized, "Such tragedies must never be repeated at universities, which are symbols of the democratization movement." He also criticized the university's response, saying, "Initially, the university assigned the professor to lectures, but only belatedly excluded him after public opinion turned negative."

Jin Sunmi, another lawmaker from the same party, said, "The university president must meet directly with the bereaved family and listen to their opinions thoroughly," adding, "The family is anxious that the case might be reduced to merely an unfortunate death." She further pointed out, "There is concrete evidence, such as text messages, of the academic advisor and research professor abusing their authority and giving unfair instructions," and noted, "Work orders continued until dawn, and the student was made to perform menial tasks unrelated to research."

Lee Geunbae, President of Chonnam National University, stated, "We are deeply sorry for this tragic incident," and explained, "Immediately after the student's death, a fact-finding committee was formed, which has convened nine times so far, and the academic advisor in question has been excluded from all lectures for the second semester." He added, "The academic researcher's contract is scheduled to end in December, and the fact-finding committee will conclude by the end of October to determine the level of disciplinary action."

The incident came to light on July 13, when a graduate student in their 20s was found dead in a dormitory at Chonnam National University. The suicide note described suffering due to the academic advisor and research professor's abuse of authority and excessive workload. Both professors have currently been suspended from their duties at Chonnam National University. Based on the fact-finding committee's report, the university plans to decide whether the Human Rights Center and Audit Center will launch audits and to determine the level of disciplinary action.

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