Verification Group Urges Ministry of Education
to Take Responsible Action
On June 16, Kang Kyungsook, a lawmaker from the Rebuilding Korea Party, and others urged Kookmin University to immediately revoke Kim Gunhee's doctoral degree, following Sookmyung Women's University's final decision to cancel the master's degree of former President Yoon Sukyeol's wife, Kim Gunhee.
Yoon Sukyeol's wife Kim Gunhee is leaving the residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on April 11 and heading to the private residence in Seocho-dong. Photo by Yonhap News
At a press conference held at the National Assembly's Communication Center on the same day, Representative Kang and the National Verification Group of Academia stated, "Even after allegations of plagiarism in Kim Gunhee's doctoral dissertation surfaced in 2021, Kookmin University reached an unscientific conclusion that 'it was not plagiarism,'" and criticized, "The university must be held accountable for damaging academic credibility by succumbing to power."
According to Representative Kang, on June 9, the Sookmyung Women's University Faculty Committee confirmed plagiarism in Kim Gunhee's master's thesis and passed a revision to the university's regulations. After completing the final procedures at the University Council on the same day, Kim Gunhee's master's degree will be officially revoked. Subsequently, Kookmin University must also proceed with the cancellation of her doctoral degree in accordance with 'Article 11 of University Regulations' and the 'Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act.'
The Verification Group pointed out, "If Kim Gunhee's master's degree is revoked, the very basis for her doctoral degree collapses like a house of cards," and criticized, "Due to Kookmin University's procedural delays and inadequate verification, social trust in the academic community has been completely destroyed."
The Verification Group called for the following measures in response to this incident: the immediate revocation of Kim Gunhee's doctoral degree by Kookmin University; strengthened legal accountability for thesis plagiarism; and an active role by the Ministry of Education in reforming the research ethics system.
Representative Kang stated, "This case is not just an individual issue but a touchstone for the morality and fairness of the Korean academic community," and added, "I hope Kookmin University and the Ministry of Education will restore academic credibility through responsible action."
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