Kookmin University is discussing the possible revocation of former First Lady Kim Kun Hee's doctorate amid her potential master's degree cancellation from Sookmyung Women's University.

Kookmin University recently held a meeting to discuss the potential revocation of First Lady Kim Kun Hee's doctoral degree. This discussion comes as her master's degree from Sookmyung Women’s University faces a high likelihood of being revoked due to plagiarism issues, which could also affect her doctorate from Kookmin University, according to university representatives.

Previously, Kookmin University had concluded that there were no issues with the academic integrity of Kim’s doctoral dissertation, despite accusations of plagiarism and research misconduct.

On January 15, a Kookmin University official stated, "We held a meeting to review the procedures related to the possible cancellation of her doctorate in case Sookmyung Women’s University revokes her master’s degree." Kookmin University’s graduate school regulations state that "any applicant seeking admission to a doctoral program must possess a master’s degree or be recognized as having an equivalent or higher level of academic qualification according to legal provisions."

Sookmyung Women’s University’s Research Integrity Committee, which had delayed its investigation into Kim Kun Hee’s master’s thesis for nearly three years, recently reached a tentative conclusion and notified Kim of the results. Although the outcome has not been made public, it is widely believed that the committee has found her guilty of plagiarism. If confirmed, her master's degree could be revoked, making the cancellation of her doctoral degree at Kookmin University inevitable under its academic regulations.

The decision regarding Kim Kun Hee’s doctorate lies with the Graduate School Committee at Kookmin University. The process begins with the Technical Design Graduate School, where Kim Kun Hee pursued her studies, holding a meeting to propose the case to the Graduate School Committee. The committee, composed of 22 members, requires a majority attendance and majority approval to revoke her doctorate.

Kim Kun Hee's doctoral dissertation, written in 2008 during her time at Kookmin University, has faced criticism for alleged errors and plagiarism, such as mistranslating "membership retention" as "member Yuji" in English. However, in 2022, Kookmin University concluded that there were no significant issues with four of her controversial academic papers.

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