Joint Statement by KOFST, KAST, and KSPM
[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The scientific community has strongly refuted the allegations of plagiarism concerning Minister of Science and ICT nominee Im Hye-sook's academic journal papers and her student's thesis. They also expressed regret that the confirmation hearing did not focus on her job performance ability and expertise.
The Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies, the Korean Academy of Science and Technology, and the Korean Council of Science Journal Editors issued a statement on the 6th regarding questions about the plagiarism controversy involving Minister of Science and ICT nominee Im Hye-sook's academic journal papers and her student's theses.
The three organizations responded to the claim that Im's student A's master's thesis written in 2005 plagiarized Im's academic journal paper from 2004 by saying, "The two papers have different hypothesis settings and conclusions, and student A is listed as an author on both papers, so it is difficult to consider the master's thesis as plagiarism." They added, "Plagiarism is the act of using another person's ideas, research content, or results without proper citation."
Regarding the publication of another student B's master's thesis as an academic journal paper in 2006, the organizations stated, "Publishing a thesis again as an academic journal paper is encouraged in the science and technology community." They argued that since student B is included as an author on the journal paper, it is difficult to view it as plagiarism. They also noted that disputes over the authorship and order of authorship are agreements among the authors themselves, making it difficult for outsiders to intervene.
The organizations said, "The evaluation of the Minister of Science and ICT nominee should be based on expertise in science and technology policy and understanding of the research field," and expressed regret that "the nominee's job performance ability and expertise were not properly verified during the confirmation hearing."
Previously, nominee Im was embroiled in various allegations including 'thesis assistance' for her spouse, traveling abroad with family members, late tax payments, and 13 instances of disguised address changes.
However, these organizations did not comment on other allegations against the nominee and only addressed the issue of plagiarism.
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