"Isn't It Strange That Yoo Dam, With No Overseas Study or Experience, Received a Perfect Career Score?"... Fairness of Hiring Questioned at National Assembly Audit

Jin Sunmi: "Many Objections Raised Over Professor Yoo Dam's Appointment"
Kim Yongtae: "Jumping to Conclusions Before Fact-Checking Undermines Fairness"

Yoo Dam, the 31-year-old daughter of former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seungmin, was appointed as an assistant professor at Incheon National University for the second semester of this year. However, controversy over the hiring process erupted during a National Assembly audit.

Yoo Dam, daughter of former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin. Yoo Seungmin YouTube channel.

At the National Assembly Education Committee's audit of Incheon National University, held on the 28th, Assemblywoman Jin Sunmi of the Democratic Party of Korea stated, "There have been many objections to 31-year-old Professor Yoo Dam becoming a professor in the Department of Trade at Incheon National University," adding, "There are serious concerns, especially regarding the first round of the three-stage recruitment review process."

Assemblywoman Jin claimed, "In the qualitative evaluation of research papers, Professor Yoo ranked around 16th with a score of 18.6, which is in the lower tier. However, she received perfect scores in the academic background, career, and quantitative evaluation of research papers, allowing her to pass the first round as the overall second-highest scorer."

She further questioned, "When comparing the educational backgrounds of the hired professor and the applicants, about 11 people had no significant differences, but only three of them received a perfect score (grade 1) in the academic field. Isn't that unusual?"

Professor Yudam introduced on the homepage of the Department of Trade, College of Global Economics and Commerce, Incheon National University. Screenshot from the Incheon National University Department of Trade homepage.

Assemblywoman Jin also expressed doubts about Professor Yoo receiving a perfect score in the career evaluation. She said, "Professor Yoo received her doctorate in March this year and was appointed as a professor just two months later in May. What kind of career could she have?" She continued, "Upon checking, she worked at the Korea University Office of Business Strategy for exactly 75 days and taught at Korea University for one year, but that was during her master's program, not her doctoral studies. She has no other career experience."

She added, "Professor Yoo has no overseas study or experience and has not worked in a company, yet received a perfect score for her career, while other applicants received lower scores. It is also difficult to accept the evaluation of her research papers."

Lee Injae, President of Incheon National University, is delivering a greeting at the National Assembly Education Committee's audit on Seoul National University and others held in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In response, Lee Injae, President of Incheon National University, emphasized that the recruitment was conducted according to internal guidelines and procedures, and that there were no issues. President Lee explained, "When evaluating academic background, those who obtained a doctorate in international business were given perfect scores. For career evaluation, only work experience directly related to the field of study was recognized."

President Lee added, "The quantitative evaluation of research papers is based on uniform regulations, and those who exceed a certain threshold receive a perfect score. The qualitative evaluation is also scored according to a type of quantitative assessment."

Assemblyman Kim Yongtae of the People Power Party defended Incheon National University, stating, "Proceeding with a preconceived notion before hearing a clear explanation actually undermines fairness."

When Assemblyman Kim asked whether the guidelines for new full-time faculty appointments had been changed in the past year, or whether any other applicants, professors, or student councils had raised issues, President Lee replied, "No." In response to the question, "Do you believe that subjective judgment by evaluators could not be involved in the first round of screening under the new appointment guidelines at Incheon National University?" President Lee answered, "That is my assessment."

Previously, Professor Yoo passed the recruitment process for new full-time faculty for the second semester of the 2025 academic year and was appointed as an assistant professor in the Department of Trade at the College of Global Economics and Commerce. She is currently teaching two elective courses in international business within the department.

However, controversy over fairness arose within the university regarding Professor Yoo's appointment process. Some raised suspicions that her background as the daughter of a well-known politician may have influenced her appointment. A group of students called "Students for Fair Appointments at Incheon National University" held a press conference in front of the university administration building the previous day, urging, "The appointment process of Professor Yoo Dam should be transparently disclosed."

Meanwhile, Professor Yoo graduated from the Department of Law at Dongguk University, earned a master's degree in business administration from Yonsei University, and a doctorate in business administration from Korea University.