"Shaking and Terrified"... Seol Min-seok Returns to Terrestrial Broadcasting After 3 Years and 6 Months Over 'Thesis Plagiarism'

Suspicion of Plagiarism in Thesis Leads to Broadcast Withdrawal
"Revealing Stories Never Told Anywhere Else"

Seol Min-seok, a Korean history instructor who admitted to allegations of plagiarism in his thesis and had suspended his broadcasting activities, has returned to terrestrial broadcasting channels after about three and a half years.

Seol Min-seok appeared as one of the seven speakers on MBC's variety show 'Heartstrings, The Lecturers,' which first aired on the 12th. The program featured well-known figures from the broadcasting industry, including Dr. Oh Eun-young, a psychiatrist, former professional baseball manager Kim Sung-geun, PD Kim Young-mi, Monk Geumgang, lawyer Han Moon-chul, and comedian Park Myung-soo, who appeared as panelists analyzing the same topic from seven different perspectives.

Instructor Seol Min-seok returning to MBC entertainment program after about 3 years and 6 months [Image source=MBC 'Speakers' broadcast capture]

Seol Min-seok appeared toward the end of the broadcast. The production team introduced him as "the main figure who sparked the Korean history craze." When Park Myung-soo asked, "What kind of lecture did you prepare? I'm curious since it's been a while," Seol Min-seok replied, "I will reveal stories that have never been told anywhere else for the first time." Throughout the broadcast, Seol Min-seok appeared somewhat nervous.

Standing before the audience, Seol Min-seok also openly shared his inner feelings. He confessed, "I was very nervous and terrified to stand here." His appearance was shown once more in the preview. When Seol Min-seok said, "My young fans flashed before my eyes like a kaleidoscope," PD Kim asked, "Is this master's thesis on the same topic as the previous one?" The detailed content of his lecture will be broadcast on the 19th.

Instructor Seol Min-seok returns to MBC entertainment program after about 3 years and 6 months [Image source=MBC 'Speakers' broadcast capture]

Meanwhile, in December 2020, Seol Min-seok faced allegations of plagiarism regarding his master's thesis at Yonsei University Graduate School of Education titled 'A Study on Ideological Controversies in the Descriptions of Korean Modern and Contemporary History Textbooks' (2010). As the controversy grew, he withdrew from the programs he was appearing on.

At that time, he posted on his social media account, admitting, "I neglected research while writing the thesis and was careless in citing and footnoting other papers I referenced."

He added, "This is an inexcusable mistake on my part," and said, "As an educator and a person studying history, I deeply apologize once again for my complacent attitude. I will withdraw from all broadcasts I am currently appearing on and humbly learn and study more."