Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
University allows Roy Kim to graduate despite sex photo admission
Singer Roy Kim arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on April 10 for questioning over the alleged illegal distribution of sexually explicit photos through a messenger service. Hankook Ilbo
By Lee Gyu-lee
By Lee Gyu-lee
Georgetown University will grant an undergraduate degree to Roy Kim despite the singer being embroiled in a sexual misconduct probe in Korea.
The singer's agency Stone Music Entertainment confirmed Thursday that he would graduate as scheduled.
Kim, 26 ― whose real name is Kim Sang-woo ― has admitted sharing one sexually explicit photo of women through an online messenger service.
The probe began after police confirmed Kim was included in former K-pop group BIGBANG member Seungri's Kakao Talk chat room, where illegal videos and photos were viewed and shared.
He admitted the allegations after four hours of questioning by police last month. The case has been sent to the prosecutors' office.
The university told
last month that it would begin its own investigation of Kim's sexual misconduct and would hold accountable anyone who violated the school's code of conduct. The most severe sanction is expulsion.
In the same month, a Georgetown student started a
urging the school's president John J. DeGioia to expel Kim. More than 4,600 people had signed the petition by Thursday. The target is 5,000 signatures.
The university's Code of Student Conduct outlines the classification of sexual harassment and the sanctions that apply, even if the actions are committed outside the school. But it does not say if it recognizes the distribution of sexually explicit photos without consent as sexual harassment.
Kim returned to Korea after finishing his last exam on April 9.
“It was the school's decision to issue the diploma,” Kim's agency said. “Kim is currently staying in Korea and will not be attending the graduation ceremony.”
Kim debuted on the TV audition show "Superstar K4" in 2012. He has been traveling between Korea and the U.S. to complete his education while continuing his music career.