Candidate Kim In-cheol Resigns 20 Days After Nomination... Hampered by Bangseokjip Thesis Review (Comprehensive)

Kim In-cheol "I will not offer any explanation. It is all my fault"
Resigns amid allegations of plagiarism by student and lavish restaurant hospitality

Following the 'On Family Scholarship' benefits, Kim In-cheol, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education nominee who is facing allegations of plagiarism in his student's thesis, is expressing his intention to resign on the 3rd in front of the nominee's office set up at the Korea Educational Facilities Safety Institute in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Kim In-cheol, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education nominee, voluntarily resigned 20 days after his nomination. Despite steadfastly enduring the controversy over preferential treatment regarding the Fulbright scholarship, Kim resigned three days before the confirmation hearing when additional allegations surfaced about the 'Bangseokjip thesis review.'

On the 3rd, Kim held a press conference at the Education Facilities Safety Institute in Yeouido, Seoul, and announced, "I am resigning from the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education nominee."

Kim said, "I wanted to give back the benefits I received from the country and society through my final service, but I was greatly lacking. I will not offer any excuses. It is all my fault and mistake."

He added, "I have no words to express my apologies to President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, who trusted me and entrusted me with this important responsibility. I will support the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration from afar. Once again, I apologize and ask for the understanding of the people."

Kim had actively explained the preferential treatment allegations, including his family’s receipt of the Fulbright scholarship, but eventually decided to resign after plagiarism allegations and testimonies emerged claiming he received hospitality during the thesis review process.

It was revealed that during the review of the doctoral dissertation of his student, Mr. Lee, Kim, who was the advisor, approved and received hospitality at a high-end restaurant known as 'Bangseokjip.'

In his autobiography, Lee mentioned that after the thesis was approved, "the madam and the ladies moved to a tavern and celebrated until 3 a.m."

There were also allegations that Kim plagiarized Lee’s thesis and published it in an academic journal. In February 1999, Lee submitted a doctoral dissertation titled "A Study on the Network and Roles of Regional Technology Innovation Participating Institutions - Focusing on the Incheon Media Valley Case" to the Graduate School of Public Administration at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

Kim published a paper in the Policy Science Review in June 2000, which was found to be very similar in content to Lee’s work.

Additionally, Kim’s son worked as a research assistant at the National Assembly Research Service from January to February 2016. At that time, the head of the Research Service was a professor who served as a judge when Kim was selected as a Fulbright scholar.

There were allegations of preferential treatment as Kim himself, his children, and his wife all received Fulbright scholarships. He was also accused of splitting payments on corporate cards and embezzling school funds during his tenure as president of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and chairman of the University Education Council.

Furthermore, during his presidency, he faced calls for resignation amid allegations of making abusive remarks during conflicts with the student council and granting himself approval to concurrently serve as an outside director of a large corporation.