Students, professors urge Sookmyung Women's University to take action on Kim Keon Hee's plagiarism
Kim's 1999 thesis accused of plagiarism in 2021, confirmed in February this year
Students and professors at Sookmyung Women's University on Thursday called on the school to take action by revoking the master's degree of Kim Keon Hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, after her thesis was found to have been plagiarized.
'It's been more than three months since Kim's thesis was confirmed to be plagiarized, but the university still hasn't revoked her degree or taken any action, and we haven't been told why it's taking so long,' said Hwang Da-kyung from Seolhwa, a student group at the university, during a press conference held in central Seoul with the Democratic Alumnae Association.
'There is nothing to learn from a university that no longer upholds the values of fairness and integrity."
Kim earned her master's degree in art education from Sookmyung Women's University in 1999. Allegations of plagiarism in her thesis emerged in late 2021 amid growing public scrutiny of her academic background, shortly after Yoon became a leading presidential candidate.
In early 2022, an accusation filed by the alumnae group prompted the university's research ethics committee to begin reviewing Kim's thesis, but a full investigation didn't begin until December, raising criticism about delays. Finally this January, the university determined that she had plagiarized her work.
Shin Dong-soon, a professor of Chinese language and literature at the university who attended the press conference, said, 'It took far too long for the university to officially confirm plagiarism in Kim's thesis, even though the similarity rate exceeded 50 percent.'
'I urge President Moon to proceed with fairness and without partiality, no matter who the subject of the investigation is.'
According to Article 65 of the university's academic regulations, a degree obtained through dishonest means may be revoked following deliberation.
Meanwhile, another thesis Kim wrote in 2008 while studying at Kookmin University's Graduate School of Techno Design, where she earned a doctorate in design, has also come under scrutiny for alleged plagiarism.
The university, however, concluded that the level of plagiarism in Kim's doctoral thesis and related papers did not constitute research misconduct that 'seriously exceeds what is generally considered acceptable in academia.'
Possibilities have emerged that if Kim's master's degree from Sookmyung is officially revoked, her doctoral degree from Kookmin University could also be subject to cancellation. Under the Korea's Higher Education Act, a master's degree is a prerequisite for admission to a doctorate program.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
an hour ago
- Korea Herald
White House affirms 'ironclad' alliance after Lee's win, voices concerns over Chinese influence
A White House official on Tuesday affirmed the "ironclad" nature of the South Korea-US alliance while expressing concerns over "Chinese interference and influence in democracies" after Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung was elected South Korea's president. The remarks came as Lee of the liberal party has stressed the alliance with the United States as the "foundation" of his "pragmatic" foreign policy while pledging to "stably" manage relations with China in the midst of an escalating Sino-US rivalry. "The US-ROK Alliance remains ironclad," the official said in response to a request for comment by Yonhap News Agency. ROK is short for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. "While South Korea had a free and fair election, the United States remains concerned and opposed to Chinese interference and influence in democracies around the world," the official added. Lee's election came as US President Donald Trump's administration is hoping to see Indo-Pacific allies and partners coalesce behind its drive to keep an assertive China in check and deter Chinese aggression. Lee is now tasked with addressing a raft of nettlesome alliance issues, including Trump's unabated tariff pressure, calls for greater security "burden sharing" and a potential US Forces Korea troop drawdown, to name a few. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
13 hours ago
- Korea Herald
"Xiamen Day" Successfully Held at Expo 2025 Osaka China Pavilion, Fostering a New Era of Multifaceted Collaboration
OSAKA, Japan, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From May 31 to June 1, 2025, "Xiamen Day" captivated audiences at the China Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka. Under the theme "Facing the Sea, Flowers Blooming in Four Seasons" and guided by the principles of "Openness, Culture, and Innovation," the event comprehensively showcased Xiamen's urban appeal through economic and trade matchmaking, cultural performances, and a variety of other activities, injecting fresh dynamism into Sino-Japanese exchanges. Economic and Trade Matchmaking: Deepening Practical Industrial Cooperation The Xiamen-Japan Economic, Trade, and Cultural Tourism Exchange Conference kicked off on May 31. Following opening remarks by leaders from the Xiamen Municipal Government, the Xiamen Commerce Bureau and Xiamen Culture and Tourism Bureau presented compelling cases for Xiamen's favorable business climate and rich cultural and tourism offerings, highlighting its investment potential and the allure of the "Garden on the Sea." Fujii Takahide Head of Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd. Xiamen, shared valuable insights into his company's investment journey in Xiamen. Toyoki Oka, Representative Director of the Japan-China Investment Promotion Organization, provided analysis on the strategic direction of Japanese enterprises operating in China. Further discussions among enterprise representatives centered on supply chain innovation and the burgeoning tea industry. The on-site signing of projects, including the BSL Smart Energy Base, Dendrobium officinale R&D and promotion, and Chinese tea exports to Japan, underscored the transition of bilateral collaboration in green energy, healthcare, and traditional trade to a phase of significant advancement. Cultural Enrichment: A Dialogue of Southern Fujian Culture with the World On June 1, the opening ceremony of "Xiamen Day" within the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo presented a vibrant tapestry of performances, seamlessly blending traditional and contemporary elements. Interactive song and dance, innovative folk arts, and intangible cultural heritage showcases brought Xiamen's unique humanistic spirit to life, rooted in the rich traditions of Southern Fujian culture and celebrating the harmonious fusion of Chinese and international influences. Immersive experience zones showcasing the artistry of lacquer thread sculpture and shadow carving attracted audience participation, with many visitors expressing a shared appreciation for the parallels in Eastern aesthetic sensibilities. The accompanying China-Japan Friendship Exchange Exhibition, utilizing exquisite crafts and a retrospective of collaborative ventures, served to construct a lasting bridge of cultural exchange. Ecological Practice: A Model for Sustainable Urban Development The event also featured a dedicated ecological exhibition area, spotlighting Xiamen's innovative approaches to ecological zoning control, pollution mitigation, and carbon reduction. This showcased the city's governance strategies, firmly grounded in the "ecological city" concept, and offering "Xiamen's wisdom" as a valuable resource for global sustainable development efforts. This event successfully cultivated a comprehensive platform for Sino-Japanese exchange, strengthening mutual understanding through cultural resonance and fortifying the foundation of friendship through industrial collaboration. The event garnered significant attention from both Chinese and Japanese media outlets. Looking ahead, we anticipate deepening collaboration between the two sides across diverse sectors, ensuring a new era of mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
Korea Herald
19 hours ago
- Korea Herald
'The Pact' taps former first lady's controversies for box office surprise
Political thriller outperforms Hollywood blockbuster despite limited release On the eve of South Korea's presidential election, an unlikely contender has made waves at the box office. "The Pact" — a darkly provocative occult thriller — claimed second place in nationwide ticket sales Monday, an unexpected showing for a low-budget production with a partisan political agenda. According to the Korean Film Council's latest box office data, "The Pact" drew 60,140 viewers on its opening day Monday, narrowly edging out $400 million Hollywood juggernaut "Mission: Impossible — Final Reckoning" (59,953 admissions) and trailing only the homegrown comedy "Hi-Five" (75,614 admissions). These numbers were despite the film's relatively limited theatrical release: Just 1,296 screenings on 536 screens nationwide, roughly a third of its competitors. "The Pact" follows an ambitious woman named Ji-hee (Kim Gyu-ri) who climbs the social ladder through plastic surgery, identity fraud and dark rituals to eventually set her sights on controlling the entire country. Whether directly stated or not, audiences swiftly made the connection to Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose impeachment following his shock Dec. 3 martial law declaration led to Tuesday's snap presidential election. Allegations of the couple's involvement with shamanistic practices have dogged them since the earliest days of Yoon's political ascent — from the Chinese character for "king" mysteriously appearing on Yoon's palm during televised debates to their controversial decision to abandon the Blue House in Seoul for a new presidential office about 6 kilometers south. Suspicions swriled throughout Yoon's tenure that spiritual advisers introduced by the first lady were pulling strings behind the scenes in major policy decisions. The film's Korean title, "Shinmyung," is the most glaring reference: It's Kim's given birth name (Myung-shin) backwards. The former first lady legally changed her name to Keon Hee in 2008. The nature of the production also points to the work's political intent. The film was bankrolled by progressive YouTube channel Openmind TV, which has faced multiple defamation lawsuits from public figures, and lost on one occasion. While producers claim their story draws from verified investigative reporting, the clearly fictionalized story frequently veers into unsubstantiated territory, depicting graphic shamanistic rituals taking place in the presidential office — scenarios for which no concrete evidence exists. "The Pact" is not the first purported expose on the former first lady to hit theaters. In December last year, documentary "The First Lady," exploring corruption allegations surrounding Kim, sold 84,888 tickets in its theatrical run — an impressive figure for low-budget independent cinema.
