National Audit Focuses on 'Kookmin University'... Kim Geon-hee's False Resume and Deutsche Motors Stocks (Comprehensive)

Suspicions of Additional False Resume Submission in Kim Gun-hee's Lecturer and Adjunct Faculty Career
Yoo Eun-hye: "Will Review for Legal Violations"
Kookmin University Holds 240,000 Shares of Deutsche Motors, Falsified Meeting Minutes Submitted
Controversy Over Violation of Private School Act, Calls for Comprehensive Audit of Kookmin University
Governor Lee Jae-myung Expressed Intent to Return Degree in 2014 but It Remains Valid
Ministry of Education Demands Gachon University Submit Documents by December 2

Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Yoo Eun-hye is attending the National Assembly's education committee's audit of the Ministry of Education held at the National Assembly on the 1st, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] During the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Education and its affiliated organizations by the Education Committee, a heated debate unfolded over allegations of false credentials submitted by Kim Gun-hee, wife of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, regarding her positions as a university lecturer and adjunct professor, as well as suspicions surrounding Kookmin University's holdings of Deutsche Motors stocks.

On the 21st, during the National Assembly Education Committee's comprehensive audit, according to data received from the Ministry of Education by Kwon In-sook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, it was revealed that Kim had submitted false credentials not only at Seoil University but also at Hallym Sacred Heart University and Anyang University to serve as a lecturer or adjunct professor.

"False Credentials Submitted at Hallym Sacred Heart University and Anyang University" Calls for Legal Review

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim was appointed as a part-time lecturer in the Computer Applications Department at Hallym Sacred Heart University in the first semester of 2001, and in the resume she submitted at that time, she listed 'Seoul Daedo Elementary School (practical instructor)' as part of her experience. However, upon verification of data submitted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, the National Assembly Education Committee confirmed that there was no such employment record.

When appointed as an adjunct professor at Anyang University in the second semester of 2013, Kim listed 'Yeongnak High School art teacher' in her career history, but in reality, only her experience 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 professor at Kookmin University's College of Techno Design and College of Arts in 2014, but Kookmin University internally confirmed that no false career information was recorded after cross-checking supporting documents.

Rep. Kwon stated, "Submitting false credentials three times over more than ten years from 2001 to 2013 is clearly intentional," adding, "Listing false information on a resume, which is an official document, and even teaching students as a university professor while using a teacher's career history could constitute obstruction of business and fraud."

Details related to the suspicion of submitting false credentials as a part-time lecturer and adjunct professor by Kim Geon-hee (Source: Office of Assemblywoman Kwon In-sook)

Ruling party lawmakers demanded a legal review, arguing that Kim's submission of false credentials could constitute fraud or obstruction of business. Rep. Do Jong-hwan of the Democratic Party also raised issues regarding Kim's description of her student teaching experience at Gwangnam Middle School as 'teacher' experience and her mislabeling of Yeongnak Girls' Commercial High School as 'Yeongnak High School.'

Rep. Do said, "Kim did not use her elementary, middle, and high school work experience at Kookmin University, likely because she no longer needed to reuse it after building her credentials with false information at Seoil University and Hallym Sacred Heart University," adding, "Using false credentials for university lectures constitutes forgery of private documents and obstruction of business."

Rep. Ahn Min-seok of the Democratic Party pointed out, "Since universities would have received career certificates, they should verify whether the information is false."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye responded, "We will review what actions are possible after confirming the facts," adding, "We have not yet reviewed whether submitting false credentials violates the law, but we will conduct a legal review to determine if it constitutes a legal violation."

There was also a counterargument that since the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education's system only searches records from 2010 onward, direct confirmation from the respective schools is necessary.

Rep. Jung Kyung-hee of the People Power Party said, "To clarify the facts, it is necessary to determine whether the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education properly verified and submitted the part-time lecturer employment records from the relevant schools," adding, "If incorrect data was submitted with political intent, it could constitute perjury."

Purchase of 240,000 Deutsche Motors Shares Not Recorded in Kookmin University Board Meeting Minutes

[Image source=Yonhap News]

There were also allegations that Kookmin University violated the Private School Act by submitting falsified board meeting minutes despite the requirement for board approval when purchasing 240,000 shares of Deutsche Motors. Kookmin University purchased stocks worth approximately 1.64 billion KRW over ten transactions from April 18, 2019, to February 2, 2020. Deutsche Motors is a company suspected of stock price manipulation involving Kim.

Rep. Seo Dong-yong of the Democratic Party pointed out, "The board meeting minutes submitted by Kookmin University from 2018 to 2020 did not include any decisions related to the purchase of Deutsche Motors shares," adding, "School corporations must hold board meetings when disposing of or acquiring assets, so purchasing without approval violates the Private School Act."

Rep. Seo added, "The 240,000 shares are similar in quantity to the approximately 248,000 shares known to be held by Kim," and criticized, "The board meeting minutes submitted to the Private School Promotion Foundation were unrelated to the stock purchase, which is also a violation of the Private School Act."

He further stated, "I do not understand why Kookmin University is so closely linked to Kim. The reasons behind such incidents occurring despite violating the law must be uncovered."

Ruling party lawmakers urged a comprehensive audit of Kookmin University. The last audit by the Ministry of Education was in 1984. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, "It is necessary to verify the acquisition and disposal process of Deutsche Motors securities," adding, "We will comprehensively review the audit-related matters."

Opposition Party: Ministry of Education's Delayed Response to Lee Jae-myung's Gachon University Thesis

Questions were also raised regarding allegations of plagiarism in the master's thesis of Lee Jae-myung, the ruling party's presidential candidate, at Gachon University.

When plagiarism allegations arose in 2014, Lee expressed his intention to return the degree, but Gachon University decided in August 2016 that the thesis and master's degree were valid due to the absence of relevant regulations. The Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act stipulates that the decision to revoke a degree lies with the university.

Rep. Jung Kyung-hee criticized, "The Ministry of Education held a national audit on the 1st and sent an official letter on the 12th requesting related materials by December 2nd, which appears to be a lenient approach towards Lee Jae-myung and an attempt to undermine the audit," adding, "If Gachon University responds that the thesis is valid, the Ministry of Education should demand substantive measures."

In response, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, "We sent official letters to Kookmin University and allowed about 2-3 weeks for replies, applying the same standards to Gachon University and Hongik University," adding, "Once Gachon University's response arrives, we will organize the Ministry of Education's position, including future plans, and inform you."

Meanwhile, Rep. Cho Kyung-tae of the People Power Party mentioned recruitment corruption involving Incheon National University professors and the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education's principal recruitment system, stating, "There is too much recruitment corruption in the Education Committee. The Ministry of Education is rotten." Deputy Prime Minister Yoo responded, "I ask you to withdraw that statement." The exchange escalated into loud arguments, causing the audit to be suspended for about 20 minutes in the afternoon.