[2025 Audit] KAIST President on 'JMS Connection Controversy': "Cut Ties After Sensing Something Was Off"

Assemblyman Lee Haemin Questions at National Assembly Audit
President Lee Kwanghyung: "JMS Tried to Recruit Me, But I Refused"

During the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee audit, KAIST President Lee Kwanghyung denied allegations of any connection to the Christian Gospel Mission (JMS) after suspicions were raised.

Yonhap News Agency

On the 24th, during the committee audit held at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) in Daejeon, Assemblyman Lee Haemin of the Rebuilding Korea Party raised suspicions about President Lee’s association with JMS by releasing photos of Lee attending JMS gatherings. President Lee explained, “After my lecture, some audience members, who said they were deeply moved, asked to take photos with me, so I agreed. After that, I realized I should be more cautious about taking pictures with people I don’t know.”

Assemblyman Lee, while releasing the photos, asked Professor Kim Dohyung, a JMS activist, to provide an explanation. Professor Kim described the individuals photographed next to President Lee, stating that they were indeed affiliated with JMS.

Choi Minhee, the committee chair from the Democratic Party of Korea, asked, “Are you claiming that you do not have any personal relationship with JMS?” President Lee replied, “At first, I didn’t know. Even when they invited me to the Geumsan JMS retreat center, I didn’t know who I was going to meet. After visiting, I realized something was off and cut off contact from then on.” He added, “This is a case where JMS tried to recruit me, but I refused.”

Assemblyman Lee stated, “I believe you have lost significant trust as a leader in the science and technology community, as an organizational manager, and as the head of a national institution. What KAIST needs is not the experimental spirit of the so-called ‘eccentric scientist,’ which is your nickname, but responsible leadership that its members can trust.” When asked if he intended to resign, President Lee replied, “I don’t think I can answer that here.”