Professor Punished for 'Embezzlement' Rehired... Fraud Cases Detected in 4 Universities and Institutions

Ministry of Education Announces Comprehensive Audit Results of 4 Schools and Institutions

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Schools and institutions that rehired professors found guilty of misconduct or improperly paid staff travel expenses were extensively caught in audits conducted by the Ministry of Education.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of Education announced the results of comprehensive audits of four schools and institutions, including Sangmyung University, and stated that warning measures were taken against the institutions where improper acts were detected, and personnel actions such as severe disciplinary measures were taken against the involved staff.

First, the Sangmyung Academy Foundation and Sangmyung University were found guilty of ‘improper failure to process automatic retirement of faculty,’ resulting in disciplinary actions against eight individuals (2 severe disciplinary actions, 3 minor disciplinary actions, and 3 warnings), and they were also subject to investigation.

At the university, one professor was sentenced to prison (1 year and 6 months imprisonment with 3 years probation) for ‘embezzlement,’ yet was processed as a voluntary resignation and subsequently improperly rehired as a contract employee, which was uncovered by the Board of Audit and Inspection.

Moreover, it was revealed that even after processing resignation during the audit, the professor was rehired again as a contract employee after the audit decision. Because of this, Professor A received severance pay that would not have been granted if automatic retirement had been processed.

At Gyeongam Academy Foundation and Gunsan College of Nursing, it was found that apartment management fees of 1.7 million KRW and report preparation allowances of 15.9 million KRW, which should have been borne personally, were paid from the school’s accounting. Additionally, 37 million KRW in allowances paid to two individuals who were not eligible in relation to admissions were ordered to be recovered.

At Seoul Theological University Foundation and Seoul Theological University, inappropriate practices were uncovered in lecture attendance and grade evaluation between professors and their children, as well as in document screening during hiring processes.

In particular, a graduate school professor’s child attended the professor’s class but the professor failed to submit the basis for grade calculation and personally ‘self-verified’ the fairness, which was detected. It was also confirmed that the graduate school took no disciplinary action against the professor.

During the hiring process, two candidates who passed the document screening with scores above the passing mark were rejected on the grounds that they did not meet preferential conditions, which also resulted in a warning to the institution.

The Korea Council for University Education was also found to have committed multiple violations in receiving family allowances and in the execution of business promotion expenses. Three executives received 1.52 million KRW in family allowances for dependents who were in separate households.

Furthermore, from 2019 until March of last year, 179 million KRW was charged to corporate cards without prior approval, and 1.36 million KRW was charged on corporate cards from distant locations without reasons such as business trips, which was also pointed out.