Chonnam National University Graduate Student's Death... 'Professor Power Abuse' Under Scrutiny at National Assembly Audit

Kim Junhyuk: "Lecture Cancellation Came Too Late, Explanation Unacceptable"
Jin Sunmi: "Meeting with the Bereaved Family Needed... Circumstances Confirmed"
President Lee Geunbae: "Deeply Sorry... Disciplinary Action to Be Decided After Investigation"

At the National Assembly Education Committee's audit on the 22nd, allegations of power abuse by professors surrounding the death of a Chonnam National University graduate student emerged as a major issue.

At the National Assembly Education Committee's audit, Representative Kim Junhyuk is questioning Lee Geunbae, President of Chonnam National University. Photo by National Assembly Broadcasting

Kim Junhyuk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, questioned Lee Geunbae, President of Chonnam National University, during the Education Committee's audit held at Jeonbuk National University, stating, "There was a case where a graduate student took their own life due to excessive demands and coercive work from professors," and emphasized, "Such incidents must never happen again at a university that stands as a symbol of the democratization movement."

The incident mentioned by Assemblyman Kim refers to the case in July, when a Chonnam National University graduate student left evidence of suffering from excessive work and personal orders in the lab before making an extreme choice. A note in the form of a will was found, prompting the school and police to launch an investigation into the facts.

Assemblyman Kim also criticized, "Initially, the university assigned lectures to the professor in question, but only excluded them after public opinion worsened," adding, "It is difficult to accept the reasoning that nothing could be done because the professor was a public official at the time." He continued, "The very fact that so-called 'professor power abuse' still exists within the university is a problem," and stressed, "Fundamental measures must be implemented to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies where students make extreme choices."

On the 22nd, during the National Assembly Education Committee's audit, Jin Sunmi, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, revealed a screen showing text message data related to a graduate student victim at Chonnam National University. Photo by Song Bohyun

Assemblywoman Jin Sunmi also demanded, "The president must meet with the bereaved family in person this week and listen to their opinions thoroughly." She stated, "The bereaved family fears that the incident will be dismissed as simply an unjust death," and added, "In fact, specific circumstances, including text messages, confirm that the incident stemmed from power abuse and unfair orders by the supervising professor and research professor." She continued, "Evidence is emerging that work orders were given until dawn and that the student was assigned miscellaneous tasks unrelated to research," and pointed out, "The university must take this seriously and take responsible action."

In response, President Lee Geunbae said, "I am deeply sorry for this tragic incident," and explained, "Immediately after the student's death, a fact-finding committee was formed, which has held nine meetings so far, and the supervising professor has been excluded from all lectures in the second semester." He added, "The contract for this research fellow is scheduled to end in December, and we will conclude the fact-finding committee by the end of October to determine the level of disciplinary action."