Kookmin University Faculty Association Decides Not to Re-examine Kim Geon-hee's Thesis... 61.5% Opposed

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The faculty council of Kookmin University has decided not to verify the doctoral dissertation of First Lady Kim Keon-hee, which has been embroiled in plagiarism controversy.

On the 19th, the Kookmin University faculty council held a temporary general meeting on the 12th to discuss whether to disclose the report and minutes of the re-investigation committee on President Yoon Seok-yeol's wife Kim Keon-hee's doctoral dissertation, and whether to conduct an independent verification through the faculty council's verification committee. Following this, from the 16th until 6 p.m. on the day, a vote was held among all faculty members regarding the verification of Kim Keon-hee's dissertation. Out of 407 total faculty members, 314 participated in the vote.

In the vote, 61.5% (193 members) opposed the formation of a committee for independent verification of the dissertation, while 38.5% (121 members) supported it, showing a higher opposition rate.

Accordingly, the proposal for the Kookmin University faculty council to independently verify Kim Keon-hee's doctoral dissertation was ultimately rejected.

The faculty council stated, "Whatever direction our decision takes, it is the result of the collective intelligence of the faculty council," and added, "Those who supported or opposed this agenda all equally respect the honor of our Kookmin University and value academic conscience."

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that on the day before the vote concluded, Lee Seok-hwan, the vice president for academic affairs and a member of the school’s academic committee, and Lee Dong-gi, dean of the College of Law, sent emails to all faculty members raising issues about the vote itself.