"Will you live with me?"... Seoul National University Professor Loses Lawsuit to Cancel Reappointment Refusal

Seoul Central District Court / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] A professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine, who was denied reappointment due to inappropriate sexual remarks made to a former student, filed a lawsuit against the school seeking nullification, but the claim was not recognized.

According to the legal community on the 26th, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 48 (Presiding Judge Ki-seon Lee) ruled against former Seoul National University College of Medicine professor A in a lawsuit seeking cancellation of the reappointment refusal filed against the school corporation and others. The court stated, "The purpose the school aims to achieve by refusing reappointment, such as maintaining public trust, cannot be considered less significant than the disadvantages A would suffer."

Professor A, who was an endowed associate professor at the College of Medicine, applied for reappointment in March 2018 near the end of his appointment period. However, the university faculty personnel committee resolved in June of that year not to reappoint him, citing that he had caused controversy related to educational activities and damaged the school's image. The issue stemmed from past inappropriate remarks made to students under his supervision, which had been reported to the Human Rights Center.

At the time, Professor A reportedly told a student at a dinner with his advisees, "With your level of beauty, you are competitive enough to appear on a certain American TV program (a program that ranks sexual attractiveness)." He also allegedly said to another student, "Since I am alone now, would you live with me later?"

Professor A filed a lawsuit arguing that the school's refusal to reappoint him was an abuse of discretion and therefore invalid. He calculated damages at approximately 320 million KRW in lost salary and 70 million KRW in consolation money, totaling about 390 million KRW. He claimed in the lawsuit, "There is no reason for refusal of reappointment as I did not cause social controversy or damage the school's image related to educational and research activities."

However, the court judged that the school's decision to refuse reappointment was justified. The court stated, "Among A's actions, the inappropriate remarks to students that were reported to the Human Rights Center constitute a breach of dignity as a professor and can also be considered acts that damaged the school's image related to educational activities." It added, "Even if A's inappropriate language and behavior toward his students occurred only once, the degree of misconduct is by no means minor."