Hanjin chairman on verge of losing bachelor's degree

By Jun Ji-hye

Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae will likely lose his bachelor's degree he earned from Inha University, which could adversely affect his uphill fight to protect management rights amid a family feud over the control of the nation's largest logistics conglomerate, according to the Ministry of Education, Friday.

The education ministry said the Central Administrative Appeals Commission ruled, Jan. 14, in favor of the ministry which had demanded the school cancel Cho's admission and graduation.

The ministry concluded in 2018 that the grandson of the Hanjin founder had gained admission through fraudulent means when he transferred to Inha University in 1998 from a two-year college course in the United States.

Cho lacked the required grades and credits for such a transfer, according to the ministry's investigation.

The investigation also found that the school granted a bachelor's degree to Cho although he did not fulfill the necessary requirements.

The university is run by a foundation set up by Hanjin Group.

The school reacted to the ministry's demand by filing an administrative appeal in January last year, but to no avail.

Inha University claimed the decision by the commission was unacceptable, noting that it will file an administrative lawsuit with a local court.

“The university handled Cho's transfer admission in accordance with the then rules and regulations,” a university official said. “The ministry had already determined in 1998 that Cho's admission was in accordance with due procedure. The ministry's demand to cancel Cho's admission and graduation after 20 years is against the principle of not reopening a settled case.”

The official added, “We will ask a court to judge on the matter.”

The latest issue is apparently adding a burden on Cho who has been striving to protect his management rights ahead of a shareholders' meeting of the group's holding company Hanjin KAL in March.

Cho was named the new chairman of Hanjin Group in April last year, succeeding his father, the late Chairman Cho Yang-ho, who died of chronic lung disease earlier the same month.

Since his appointment, the junior Cho has faced many questions, including whether he will be able to successfully secure his grip on power within the group without falling out with his sisters ― Cho Hyun-ah and Cho Hyun-min ― as the conglomerate has struggled to decide who holds realistic control over the group following the sudden death of the late Cho.