South Korean first lady’s PhD under review due to plagiarism claims, adding to Yoon’s troubles

Name: South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee plagiarised master’s thesis, university concludes
Uploaded: 2025-01-15T09:04:21.000Z
Duration: 1 min 18 s
Description: South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee plagiarised master’s thesis, university concludes

Concerns over Kim Keon-hee’s PhD in design from Kookmin University may complicate the political situation for her husband, impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol

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South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol accompanied by first lady Kim Keon-hee (right) arrive at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland in July 2024, to attend the Nato summit in Washington. Photo: AP

SCMP’s Asia desk

Published: 5:04pm, 15 Jan 2025

A South Korean university that cleared Kim Keon-hee of plagiarism in 2022 could invalidate her doctorate as the first lady’s academic credentials come under increasing scrutiny, adding to the political woes of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol who was detained on Wednesday over his botched power grab.

Kookmin University said it decided to evaluate the status of Kim’s PhD after another Seoul-based institution preliminarily concluded that she plagiarised her master’s thesis submitted to the school in 1999.

“If Sookmyung finalises the cancellation of her degree based on its findings, Kookmin University will convene to review the validity of her doctorate,” said Lee Eun-hyung, the institute’s external affairs director.

Kim can appeal Sookmyung Women’s University’s decision by the end of this month before it officially releases the result.

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South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee plagiarised master’s thesis, university concludes

The revocation of her master’s degree could affect Kim’s PhD in design, which she earned from Kookmin in 2008, as she would lose the qualifications required for her doctorate.

Kookmin’s graduate school committee is expected to meet to discuss the possibility of formally revoking her doctorate if Sookmyung nullifies Kim’s master’s credentials, the Hankook Ilbo reported.