Received Official Document from Harvard University
Allegations of academic fraud against Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, have been proven false.
On the 8th, Yonhap News reported that the Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station in Gyeonggi Province requested official verification of Lee's academic background from Harvard University's legal department at the end of last month and received a response on the 1st.
Reform New Party presidential candidate Lee Jun-seok is answering questions from the press after completing the registration as a preliminary candidate for the 21st presidential election at the Central Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province on the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News
The official document stated that "Lee majored in a joint concentration of Computer Science and Economics at Harvard University."
The claims of academic fraud were raised in May 2023 by some conservative YouTubers and others, asserting that "while it is true that he was admitted to and attended Harvard University, it cannot be considered that he graduated," and "Harvard University does not have a double major system, so the claim that he double majored in Computer Science and Economics as he explained is not true."
In August 2023, Lee posted a photo of his university transcript on his Facebook account and rebutted, saying, "This is an issue that the investigative authorities concluded after verifying the transcript, diploma, and even authentication of access to the alumni site."
The police, who launched an investigation, requested criminal justice cooperation from the U.S. Department of Justice through the Ministry of Justice to verify his academic background. The U.S. Department of Justice recently provided contact information such as the email of Harvard's legal department and responded that the Korean police should inquire directly. The police immediately requested official verification from Harvard.
Lee stated, "Regarding the strange claims accusing me of forging my Harvard University academic credentials, today the Korean police clarified the facts and put an end to the matter through official correspondence with Harvard University."
He added, "After expressing a critical stance on former President Yoon Seok-yeol's unauthorized governance, those who attacked me with absurd stories such as sexual bribery and academic fraud should now feel ashamed and reflect on how much they have damaged the dignity of Korean politics."
He also said, "I have completed the preliminary candidate registration for the presidential election today," and warned, "I clearly state that from now on, any acts of spreading false information or attempting to influence the election, including by YouTubers, will be met with strong legal action without exception under Article 250 of the Public Official Election Act."
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