Former Korean First Lady's secret education revealed may leave her 'introverted' for life

Sookmyung Women's University has revoked the master's degree of former South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee for cheating in her graduation thesis, after concluding that her thesis contained serious plagiarism.

The decision to revoke the former First Lady of South Korea's master's degree was made by a committee at Sookmyung University's Graduate School of Education, with the aim of "maintaining research ethics and enhancing academic prestige." Kim Keon Hee received her master's degree from Sookmyung University's Graduate School of Education in 1999 with a thesis on the artistic characteristics of painter Paul Klee.

Allegations of plagiarism against Kim's thesis surfaced in December 2021, when Yoon Suk Yeol was campaigning for the South Korean presidency. Sookmyung University launched an investigation in mid-December 2022 and concluded in February 2025 that Kim's thesis had clear signs of plagiarism, with a rate of 48.1%-54.9%.

Notably, in February 2024, Sookmyung University changed its internal policy regarding degree revocation. Previously, the school's regulations only allowed for the revocation of degrees issued after June 13, 2015. However, in order to consider serious plagiarism cases such as Ms. Kim's (degree awarded in 1999), the school revised its regulations.

The change was explained as “maintaining research ethics and enhancing academic reputation” and was seen as a necessary move to respond to public pressure and ensure fairness in handling old allegations. Ms. Kim’s failure to appeal the preliminary findings in February 2025 strengthened the basis for the university’s final decision.

Immediately after Sookmyung University's decision, Kookmin University also announced that it would take steps to consider revoking Ms. Kim's doctorate degree.

According to the Higher Education Act, a valid master's degree is a prerequisite for the award of a doctorate. If the master's degree is revoked, the candidate will not be eligible for the award of a doctorate.

The incident has attracted great attention from the Korean and international public, especially in the context of tightening academic ethics standards. Sookmyung University affirmed that the decision to revoke Ms. Kim's degree was to ensure academic integrity and fulfill the university's responsibilities.

After former President Yoon Suk-yeol was removed from office by the Constitutional Court for illegally declaring martial law in December 2024, former First Lady Kim Keon-hee is facing a lot of pressure on her legal and personal reputation.

The special investigation unit in Seoul on June 23 requested the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the National Investigation Agency and the Office for the Investigation of Corruption Against Senior Officials to transfer all documents on 16 charges related to Ms. Kim.

The charges include previously dismissed cases such as stock manipulation of Deutsche Motors, bribery allegations involving Ms. Kim’s company Covana Contents, accepting luxury gifts, and several counts of illegal political interference.

"Our priority is to thoroughly review factual and legal aspects to determine the appropriate direction of investigation," special prosecutor Min Joong-ki said at the start of the investigation into Ms. Kim.

Born in 1972, Kim Keon Hee majored in painting at Kyonggi University. The first lady of South Korea has taught at universities while pursuing a career in art and design. In 2007, she founded the exhibition planning company Covana Contents.

“I have been interested in art since I was young. From my academic background, I wanted to start a business that could spread the value of art. I wanted to go beyond art exhibitions to create a positive influence in the cultural field as a whole,” Kim said in an interview with DongA Business Review in 2015. Her company has organized major art exhibitions featuring works by Alberto Giacometti, Marc Chagall and Mark Rothko.

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