Two Jeonnam National University Professors Found to Have Committed Workplace Abuse in Graduate Student Death Case

Suspension and Exclusion from Duties
Both Professors Referred to Disciplinary Committee

Photo of Jeonnam National University campus.

Regarding the death of a graduate student whose experience of workplace abuse surfaced belatedly, Jeonnam National University has completed its fact-finding investigation and suspended one of the two professors involved. The other, a research professor who is not subject to personnel measures as a non-tenure-track faculty member, had already been excluded from work and is currently under police investigation.

According to Jeonnam National University on October 30, the university’s fact-finding committee found that among the allegations of workplace abuse raised against the two professors in connection with the graduate student's death, excessive workload, assignment of personal work, lack of compensation, and inappropriate language were confirmed as facts.

Based on the committee’s recommendation for personnel action, the university suspended one of the two professors, who is a tenured faculty member. The other, a research professor not subject to personnel measures, has a contract expiring at the end of this year, so the university intends to expedite disciplinary proceedings as much as possible.

The university has referred both professors to the disciplinary committee and plans to convene a meeting next month to determine the level of disciplinary action based on the investigation report.

However, since the fact-finding report contains a significant amount of personal information and the police investigation is still ongoing, the university has decided not to release specific findings or details of the report to the public.

The police, who are investigating the case, have booked both professors identified as perpetrators as suspects and are investigating them on charges including abuse of authority and coercion. They are examining whether the professors instructed the graduate student to open and manage reimbursement accounts, or directed them to list external individuals who did not contribute to the research as co-authors on papers. The professors are also suspected of requiring the student to continue laboratory work even after securing employment.

At the National Assembly’s Education Committee audit of Jeonnam National University held on October 22, further allegations were raised that the professors ordered the student to perform personal errands unrelated to research or to prepare class materials.

Previously, the graduate student was found dead in a Jeonnam National University dormitory on July 13. In a note discovered later, the student wrote about being subjected to workplace abuse by two professors from the laboratory and struggling under a heavy workload.