[2021 National Audit] "Ministry of Education Must Conduct Ex Officio Investigation into Allegations of Sexual Harassment by Hongdae Professor"

Assemblywoman Kwon In-sook Mentions the Need for Ministry of Education's Ex Officio Investigation

Kwon In-sook, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] There have been calls for the Ministry of Education to conduct an ex officio investigation into allegations that Professor A, affiliated with the College of Fine Arts at Hongik University, repeatedly made obscene remarks to students and exploited their labor.

On the 1st, Kwon In-sook, a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out during the Ministry of Education's audit, "There are 32 people who have reported being victims related to Professor A, and student testimonies include explicit sexual expressions and obscene remarks. There are also testimonies that the professor exploited student labor without compensation for his private business."

Rep. Kwon stated, "The vice president of Hongik University dismissed the allegations against Professor A as rumors and refused to acknowledge the 20,000-person petition supporting the victims. In 2019, a professor from the College of Fine Arts at Hongik University was sentenced to prison for sexual assault, yet disciplinary procedures only began after the second trial, showing a complete lack of student protection. Given this history, it is hard not to doubt the university's capacity and willingness to respond to such incidents."

Rep. Kwon also said, "Hongik University denies all allegations that it attempted to identify whistleblowers while contacting victims and even tried to coerce and pressure them, constituting secondary victimization. Cases of faculty sexual harassment and sexual violence should be directly handled by the competent authorities before the university takes action. The Ministry of Education has previously conducted direct investigations into incidents at Sungshin Women's University and Kyungpook National University. Isn't an ex officio investigation by the Ministry of Education necessary?"

In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye said, "We take this matter seriously, and I understand that Hongik University has formed an investigative committee through the faculty personnel committee to look into the issue."

Rep. Kwon also raised the need for an investigation into allegations of admission fraud involving the daughter of Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun in 1999 and called for a special audit of Hongik University's overall operations.

Minister Yoo responded, "We have requested the school to report on the progress of related matters, but since an investigation is currently underway, it is difficult to confirm specific details. We will review the results of the prosecution's investigation and determine the necessary measures to proceed accordingly."