First lady Kim Keon Hee did not appeal Sookmyung Women's University's recent conclusion that she plagiarized her master's thesis by the Wednesday deadline, the university said Thursday.
The university's research ethics committee last month notified Kim of the results of its internal review. The alumni association of Sookmyung -- who first raised the allegation -- could theoretically challenge the recent findings by March 4.
If neither side appeals the university's conclusion, Sookmyung will deliberate the case for as long as 60 days before reaching a decision on the measure. Possible orders include revision or retraction of the thesis, with the latter revoking Kim of her degree.
Kim allegedly plagiarized her 1999 thesis, which she submitted as part of her master's degree requirements. The university launched an investigation into the case in December 2022 but concluded it last month, amid the political turmoil sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 martial law declaration and his ongoing impeachment trial.
The first lady is also at risk of losing the doctor's degree she received from Kookmin University, which announced last month that it will consider stripping her of the degree if Sookmyung decides to revoke her master's degree. This is due to regulation that a person taking a doctoral course must have a master's degree, or an academic background equivalent to it.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com
