[Editorial] Are SNU Professors Above the Law?

Some professors at Seoul National University's (SNU) College of Fine Arts are engaged in some truly outrageous behavior. They have submitted resignations en masse, in opposition to the return of a fellow professor who is awaiting reinstatement after a legal judgment. Whatever their reasons, their behavior can only be called a deliberate disregard for the law.

The Seoul High Court ruled on January 28 that it was to exclude former industrial design professor Kim Min Su from contract renewal. The judgment also found that "it appears there were errors in the review process and assessment of the results of the review," making it clear there are problems with the college's personnel committee. Based on that premise, it concludes the university president "abused his authority" by deciding to not renew Kim's contract without properly examining the review process. In other words, it was wrong not to rehire him. It is defiance of the law and the judiciary to disregard so clear a decision.

Their stated reasons for the collective action are nonsense. They claim Kim injured the reputation of the college and its professors, and that he lacks the qualities of a professor for having plagiarized a paper. It is Kim, rather, who had his reputation injured because of a wrongful review process by the college's personnel committee. Furthermore, an open debate about the plagiarism accusation was held back in 2000, through which common sense resolved that the accusations were without basis. That being considered, their allegations are hard to find convincing.

There are various conspiracy theories in the air regarding Kim's case, revealing a shameful side of higher education, which is supposed to lead the way in defending academic freedom and democracy. It is unfortunate that members of the academic community are unable to open their minds to reasonable criticism and rational judgment. The professors at SNU's College of Fine Arts should willingly accept the reinstatement of a fellow professor who was treated unfairly.

The Hankyoreh, 23 February 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]