By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
Yale University President Richard C. Levin sent a letter of apology to Dongguk University president Oh Young-kyo, the university announced Friday, for administrative errors involving the false diploma of disgraced curator Shin Jeong-ah.
``I am writing to convey to you my deep personal regret for the administrative errors that led Yale University mistakenly to confirm to Dongguk University (in 2005) that Ms. Shin Jeong-ah had been awarded a Yale Ph.D., and to advise (in 2007) that no such confirmatory communication had been sent by Yale in 2005.'' Levin said in the letter.
Shin’s fake degree scandal swept South Korea for months last year, tied with her romantic relationship with a senior aide to President Roh Moo-hyun and their alleged mismanagement of art funds.
The Yale head also said he has directed the school to implement new protocol for verifying graduate degrees.
Lastly, Levin asked Oh to accept his apology. ``I am dismayed that Yale's errors may have contributed to delays in detecting Ms. Shin's fraud. I sincerely hope that we may soon put this unfortunate incident behind us, and begin to strengthen the ties between Dongguk University and Yale. Please accept my sincere apology,'' he said.
However, in an interview with The Korea Times Tuesday, Oh said Dongguk would take legal action against Yale over the incident. ``We can make good our friendship with Yale after we settle our losses due to them.’’