[2021 National Audit] Additional Allegations of False Career Claims by Kim Geon-hee... Yoo Eun-hye "Will Review for Legal Violations"

Allegations of False Career Records Raised Not Only at Seoil University but Also at Hanlim Seongsim University and Anyang University
Career Records at Hanlim Seongsim University Include Practical Instructor at Daedo Elementary and Student Teacher at Gwangnam Middle School
Listed as 'Art Teacher at Yeongnak High School,' Confirmed Career Is 'Art Instructor at Yeongnak Girls' Commercial High School'
Three Career Records Not Included When Hired as Adjunct Faculty at Kookmin University in 2014
Yoo Eun-hye: "Will Review for Any Legal Violations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] During the Ministry of Education's national audit, additional allegations emerged that Kim Gun-hee, the wife of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol who worked as a part-time lecturer, submitted false credentials not only to Seoil University but also to Hanlim Seongsim University and Anyang University. The Ministry of Education has also decided to review whether submitting false credentials constitutes a legal violation.

According to materials received by Rep. Kwon In-sook of the Democratic Party of Korea during the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Education and its affiliated organizations by the National Assembly's Education Committee on the 21st, it was revealed that Kim Gun-hee falsified her credentials to work as a lecturer or adjunct faculty member not only at Seoil University but also at Hanlim Seongsim University and Anyang University.

Kim was appointed as a part-time lecturer in the Computer Applications Department at Hanlim Seongsim University in the first semester of 2001, and in the resume she submitted at that time, she listed "Seoul Daedo Elementary School (practical instructor)" under her career history. However, upon checking the materials submitted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, the Education Committee confirmed that there was no such employment record.

When appointed as an adjunct faculty member at Anyang University in the second semester of 2013, she listed "Yeongnak High School art teacher" in her career history, but in reality, only her employment as an art instructor at Yeongnak Girls' Commercial High School (currently Yeongnak Medical Science High School) in 2001 was confirmed. Kim was also appointed as an adjunct faculty member at the College of Techno Design and the College of Fine Arts at Kookmin University in 2014, but Kookmin University internally confirmed through document verification that no false career information was listed.

Education Experience Listed on Kim Geon-hee's Application for Part-Time Lecturer and Adjunct Professor Positions (Data from Assemblywoman Kwon In-sook's Office)

Rep. Kwon stated, "It has been revealed that all of Kim's listed elementary, middle, and high school work experience, which she submitted to be hired as a part-time lecturer in the Industrial Design Department at Seoil University, was false, and it has been additionally confirmed that she used these false credentials to gain employment at Hanlim Seongsim University and Anyang University." She added, "Since Kim was also appointed as an adjunct faculty member at Kookmin University's College of Techno Design and College of Fine Arts, verification of the listed credentials is necessary, and the internal verification results are difficult to trust."

Rep. Kwon criticized, "Submitting false credentials three times and listing them for over ten years from 2001 to 2013 appears to be highly intentional. Writing false information on a resume, which is an official document, and even teaching students as a university faculty member while using teacher credentials could constitute obstruction of business and fraud."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye said, "The facts need to be confirmed, and after verification, we will look into what actions can be taken."

Rep. Do Jong-hwan of the Democratic Party also raised concerns about the false credentials and demanded a legal review to determine whether it constitutes forgery of private documents or obstruction of business. He pointed out that Kim's listing of her student teaching experience at Gwangnam Middle School as "teaching experience" and her mislabeling of Yeongnak Girls' Commercial High School as "Yeongnak High School" were clearly intentional.

Rep. Do stated, "Kim did not use elementary, middle, and high school work experience for Kookmin University, likely because she no longer needed to reuse it after building her credentials with false experience at Seoil University and Hanlim Seongsim University," and added, "Using false credentials for university lectures should be considered crimes of forgery of private documents and obstruction of business."

In response, Minister Yoo said, "We have not yet reviewed whether these issues constitute legal violations, but we will conduct a legal review to determine what violations may apply."