[2024 National Audit] Opposition Education Committee Issues Accompaniment Order for Witness Professor Seol Minsin Regarding 'Kim Geonhee Thesis Allegations'

Passed with opposition from the ruling party and approval from the opposition
Committee Chair: "Lectures are being conducted normally"
Ruling Party: "Absent due to specialist's prescription"

On the 8th, the National Assembly Education Committee issued a summons order to Professor Seol Min-shin of Hankyong National University, a figure related to the thesis ghostwriting allegations involving First Lady Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol.

On the same day, during the National Assembly audit of the Ministry of Education and the National Education Commission, the Democratic Party of Korea submitted the summons order for Professor Seol despite opposition from the ruling People Power Party members, and enforced it through a vote. Professor Seol did not attend the National Assembly due to health reasons.

Kim Young-ho, Chair of the Education Committee, stated, "Professor Seol was also requested to appear as a witness at last year's audit but was absent both days citing an unjustified official trip," adding, "If we do not take measures such as issuing a summons order this time, it will set a precedent where any witness can avoid attendance simply by presenting a medical certificate." He further said, "According to the National Assembly administrative office's findings, Professor Seol is conducting lectures normally," and "It is interpreted that Professor Seol's explanation is difficult to accept."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

People Power Party members argued that Professor Seol submitted a legitimate absence notice supported by a prescription proving that his health condition prevents him from testifying. Jeong Seong-guk, a People Power Party member, protested, saying, "How can we judge one person's health condition?" Jo Jeong-hoon, also from the People Power Party, opposed the issuance of the summons order, stating, "The specific diagnosis of a witness has now been exposed to the entire media," and "This disregards the medical opinion of Korean doctors."

Despite unanimous opposition from ruling party members, Chair Kim approved the issuance of the summons order with the support of Democratic Party and Innovation Party members on the same day.