"Son Became Medical Doctor with My Help" Professor Jeong Min-seok Faces 'Dad Chance' Suspicion Over Son Bragging

Professor Jeong Min-seok of the Department of Anatomy at Ajou University School of Medicine shared on his Twitter that his son has received a Ph.D. in Medicine. Photo by Professor Jeong's Twitter capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Professor Jeong Min-seok of the Department of Anatomy at Ajou University School of Medicine, known as the 'cartoonist doctor,' has been embroiled in a controversy over 'Dad's Chance' due to a post he made on social networking services (SNS). Following the controversy, the post has since been deleted.

On the 1st, Professor Jeong posted on his Twitter and Facebook, "I usually do not talk about my family, but I will do so just today. I want to clarify in advance that this is a boastful story," adding, "My son has become an assistant professor in the Department of Anatomy at Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine starting today. He earned his PhD in medicine with my help."

He continued, "My son is a co-author of the neuroanatomy textbook that I always talk about," and said, "Ordinary people strive to become known worldwide after becoming assistant professor, associate professor, and full professor, but my son became known worldwide before becoming an assistant professor."

Some of the papers co-authored by Professor Jeong and his son registered in RISS (Research Information Service System). Photo by RISS website capture

These remarks, such as "He earned his PhD in medicine with my help" and "My son is a co-author of the neuroanatomy textbook," spread through online communities, sparking the 'Dad's Chance' controversy. Moreover, the controversy grew when it was revealed that Professor Jeong's son was listed as the 'first author' on many of his father's papers. In fact, among the 34 academic journal papers by Professor Jeong's son searchable on RISS (Research Information Sharing Service), 19 were co-authored with Professor Jeong.

A comic presumed to be drawn by Professor Jeong Min-seok's son. Photo by Online Community DC Inside Capture

Additionally, suspicions arose that Professor Jeong's son had drawn cartoons criticizing the Moon Jae-in administration's medical policies. Several cartoons created by an artist using an ID with Professor Jeong's son's name were posted on the online community DC Inside's Cartoon Serial Gallery.

The cartoons contained content such as "Medical school, now let's get in easily with parents' backing," and "If your parents hold significant positions in politics or civic groups, you can easily become a doctor," which sparked public outrage. These cartoons have also been deleted following the controversy.

Netizens criticized, saying things like, "Are you proud of using Dad's Chance?", "What is there to be proud of about listing your son as a co-author over hardworking students beside you?", and "No conscience at all. An immature doctor father who missed the chance to become a true adult."

In response, Ajou University Hospital, where Professor Jeong is affiliated, stated, "We are currently verifying all controversies related to Professor Jeong," and added, "We will announce the school's position once the verification is complete." Meanwhile, Professor Jeong is known for the anatomy learning cartoon 'Haerangi, Mallangi,' which was published in the February 2017 issue of the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) journal 'Anatomical Sciences Education (ASE).'