South Korea's First Lady accused of plagiarizing master's thesis

Sookmyung Women's University has issued a preliminary conclusion that South Korea's First Lady, Kim Keon Hee, plagiarized her master's thesis. According to the Korea Times, an internal review by the university's research ethics committee found that Kim engaged in plagiarism in her 1999 thesis for a master's degree in art education. The findings were reportedly sent to Kim in late December, giving her until the end of January to appeal the decision. If she denies the allegations, the committee will review her appeal before making a final determination.

This is not the first time Kim's academic qualifications have faced scrutiny. In 2022, after a lengthy investigation, Kookmin University in Seoul cleared her of plagiarism allegations regarding her doctoral dissertation, for which she earned a PhD in design in 2008.

The new allegations against Kim emerge as her husband, President Yoon Suk Yeol, faces increasing political challenges and controversies surrounding his administration. Yoon has been suspended following accusations of masterminding an insurrection with his Dec. 3 martial law declaration, which led to the first arrest warrant issued for a sitting president in South Korea. Despite repeated summons, Yoon has refused to cooperate with a separate criminal investigation and ignored requests to submit legal briefs to the Constitutional Court, which is hearing the impeachment case against him.

Yoon's lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, stated that the suspended president would accept the court's decision, even if it results in his removal from office. The Constitutional Court, whose rulings are final and cannot be appealed, is expected to rule on the case soon. Meanwhile, public criticism of Yoon's administration continues to grow amid controversies involving his allies and the First Lady.