Last Month on the 30th
Second Investigation Following the First
[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] The police conducted a complainant investigation regarding allegations of thesis ghostwriting involving Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice's daughter.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit held a second complainant investigation on the 23rd from 10 a.m., summoning Minister Han, his spouse, and their eldest daughter, who were reported by the Minsheng Economy Research Institute led by Ahn Jin-geol on charges including obstruction of business and copyright law violations.
Before the investigation, they stated, “(Minister Han and others) provided explanations related to their daughter's credentials, but they were insufficient,” adding, “They received special favors in admissions by fabricating credentials and volunteer activities, thereby inheriting wealth and honorary privileges, which constitutes a serious antisocial corruption.”
The police also summoned them for a complainant investigation on the 30th of last month.
Minister Han's eldest daughter has been suspected of receiving high-value sponsorships from companies and donating them to welfare centers to build credentials for university admission. Additionally, in February, the name of a ghostwriter from Kenya appeared in the document information of a thesis registered on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN), raising suspicions of thesis ghostwriting.
Progressive civic groups filed a complaint with the police on the 8th against Minister Han, his spouse, and their eldest daughter on charges including obstruction of business and copyright law violations. They further accused the Han family of bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and evidence tampering related to the 'laptop donation for credentials' allegations.
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