'Sungkyunkwan University MeToo' Nam Jeongsuk Wins Defamation Lawsuit Against School

Nam Jeong-sook, Former Professor at Sungkyunkwan University / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Former Sungkyunkwan University professor Nam Jeong-sook won a defamation lawsuit against the school, claiming damages after holding a press conference related to a sexual harassment case that defamed her.

According to the legal community on the 9th, Judge Lee Young-eun of the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 72 ruled partially in favor of Nam in the defamation damage claim lawsuit filed against the school the day before, ordering the payment of 5 million won. The court stated, "It is reasonable to view that the defendant university's Dean of Academic Affairs made statements at the press conference that could harm the plaintiff's social value or reputation," and "The defendant institution, as the employer of the Dean of Academic Affairs, is jointly liable to compensate for the mental damages suffered by the plaintiff."

Earlier, Sungkyunkwan University held a press conference in June 2015 while investigating a sexual harassment case involving Nam and a fellow professor during her tenure. At the event, Dean of Academic Affairs Mr. A stated that Nam was merely an unpaid assistant for school events, not a lecturer. He also claimed that the plaintiff's assertion of irregularities in the sexual harassment investigation was false. Nam filed a lawsuit in February 2019 seeking 30 million won in damages, arguing that her reputation was damaged by this press conference.

Meanwhile, after reporting the sexual harassment by a colleague during her tenure, Nam received a notice of non-renewal of her contract. Although she won a court ruling in October last year declaring her dismissal invalid, the school has reportedly not yet accepted her reinstatement. Nam claimed, "Even after winning the defamation lawsuit following the reinstatement lawsuit, the school refuses to reinstate me to my original position and is offering humiliating reduced conditions."