Ministry of Education Reissues Request for Thesis Verification Plan to Gachon University... Gachon University "Will Review Legally"

Gachon University Replied to Official Letter on November 18 but Excluded Thesis Verification Plan
Gachon University: "Will Submit 'Legal Review of Thesis Verification' by December 3"
Ministry of Education Demands Submission of Thesis Verification Implementation and Action Plan by November 30

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is entering the press conference room on the 23rd at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, to announce his digital transformation growth pledge. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education has once again requested Gachon University to submit a verification and action plan for the master's thesis of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate and former governor of Gyeonggi Province, by the end of this month.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of Education stated, "Regarding the thesis verification, it is inconsistent with the Ministry's consistent stance on establishing research ethics and the intention to abolish the verification statute of limitations. Therefore, we have re-requested the implementation of thesis verification and the submission of a specific action plan by November 30."

On the 18th, Gachon University submitted a self-investigation plan regarding the degree examination and conferral process. However, it provided a different response concerning the thesis verification. It replied that after legal review, it would submit the verification plan by December 3.

In response, a Ministry of Education official explained, "There was controversy during internal discussions related to the verification of the master's thesis, so it was judged necessary to confirm this part, and they decided to submit after legal review." The official added, "The Ministry believes that verification is appropriate and has re-requested the submission of the verification plan."

The Ministry of Education stated, "If Gachon University does not submit the implementation of thesis verification and a specific action plan, we will take measures according to the Higher Education Act and related laws." However, since it is difficult to predict Gachon University's response, the Ministry did not separately mention the details of legal actions.

The Ministry of Education and Gachon University are engaged in a tug-of-war over the thesis verification action plan. Earlier, on the 2nd, Gachon University conveyed to the Ministry that it maintains the 2016 decision that Lee Jae-myung's master's thesis is not subject to review. In response, the Ministry insists on the necessity of thesis verification, citing the establishment of research ethics and the deletion of the verification statute of limitations guideline abolished in 2011.

When allegations of plagiarism arose regarding Lee’s 2014 master's thesis, he expressed his intention to return the degree, but in August 2016, Gachon University decided that the thesis and master's degree were valid due to the absence of relevant regulations.