More Calls for Minister’s Resignation

Public opinion promoting the resignation of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources minister Kim Byung-jun, who has been criticized due to plagiarism and overlapping report of his paper on journals, is soaring.

The National Association of Professors for Democratic Society delivered an official statement in which it claimed, “Presenting identical papers twice is a serious problem for the chief of Ministry of Education who is in charge of supervising research ethics.”

The Korean Professor Union says Kim has been already disqualified from the deputy prime minister and minister of Education posts. The National Association of Professors of Public and Private Universities also insisted upon Kim’s resignation.

Cheong Wa Dae replied, “This case is not critical enough to urge Kim’s resignation” but appeared perplexed by the unexpected strong demand of the leftist organizations that have been submissive to the government.

Grand National Party (GNP) leader Lee Jae-oh sent a message to President Roh Moo-hyun and claimed, “It is reasonable to dismiss Minister Kim Byung-jun in accordance with public sentiment” The opposition party spokesperson Yoo Ki-jun also said, “Kim is now proved unfit for the head of Ministry of Education. Kim should resign voluntarily.”

Soo-Jung Shin Yeon-Wook Jung crystal@donga.com jyw11@donga.com