Hanyang University is facing criticism for allegedly concealing the results of multiple audits regarding irregularities in special faculty hiring and the misappropriation of substantial national research and development funds. In response, professors' unions are demanding immediate transparency and accountability.
The National Union of Democratic Professors and the Korean Professors' Union announced on November 4 that they will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. on November 5 in front of the Ministry of Education in Sejong City to call for the immediate release of audit results concerning Hanyang University and the Hanyang Foundation.
During the press conference, the unions plan to pressure the Ministry of Education to publicly disclose the findings of the audits related to faculty hiring and personnel misconduct, the misuse of research funds, and financial management controversies surrounding the institution.
In a statement distributed ahead of the press conference, they stated, "Hanyang University has been plagued by various allegations of irregularities, including the fairness of special faculty hiring, misuse of research funds, and improper personnel actions. Despite multiple audits, including a comprehensive financial audit conducted in May, the Ministry of Education has remained silent for months without any official announcement of the results or explanations for the actions taken."
The unions specifically targeted the perceived leniency of the Ministry's actions regarding the faculty hiring scandal, questioning the adequacy of the penalties imposed. They noted, "According to media reports and civil society critiques, significant procedural violations were found in the special hiring process, including non-compliance with job posting durations, violations of external review committee composition standards, and distortion of evaluation documents. Yet, the Ministry's response was merely an 'institutional warning.' Why must the public learn about the audit results through the media rather than an official announcement?"
They further expressed concerns that the delay in releasing the audit results raises suspicions of inappropriate collusion or external pressure between the Ministry and the university, urging the Ministry to clarify any potential external influences or improper contacts during the audit decision-making process.
The recovery of 2.27 billion won in national research and development funds also remains a critical issue, with questions surrounding the source of funding and accountability. The unions emphasized, "It is essential to clarify who bears the final responsibility for the recovery of research funds related to the national R&D project in which Hanyang University participated as the lead research institution, and whether claims for damages against those responsible have been pursued. If the university's finances, such as tuition fees, are used to cover these costs, the burden falls squarely on the university community."
The unions have outlined five key demands directed at the Ministry of Education: 1) Immediate public disclosure of the audit results and actions taken regarding Hanyang University and the Hanyang Foundation; 2) Explanation for the delay in disclosure and a timeline for any re-evaluations; 3) Transparency regarding the appropriateness of penalties related to the faculty hiring audit and subsequent actions; 4) Investigation into potential collusion, external pressure, and concealment during the delay; 5) Clarification of the responsible parties for the 2.27 billion won in R&D fund recovery.
They warned that if the Minister of Education does not publicly announce the schedule for releasing the audit results and subsequent actions, they will demand documentation from the National Assembly and request an investigation into the Ministry's negligence and delays in handling the audits.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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