Dongguk Snubs Yales Compromise Offer
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Dongguk University has refused to accept Yale University's offer to make a public apology for its administrative error involving the false diploma of disgraced art professor Shin Jeong-ah.
The Seoul school said it would continue its compensation suit, in which it seeks $50 million for defamation.
An official of the university said Thursday that Yale had proposed a compromise during the first settlement hearing held at the Connecticut District Court on Aug. 28.
``The U.S. school said it would hold a press briefing to make a public apology for its mistake and place apologetic ads in Korean newspapers as well as $100,000 if Dongguk drops the suit. It also offered to develop joint education programs,'' the official said.
The school, however, refused the offer. ``We refused, as we thought we can regain our honor by winning the suit,'' he said.
Last year, it was found that a former Dongguk professor Shin had faked her diplomas to claim that she obtained her doctorate at Yale. In 2005 when the school hired Shin, Yale mistakenly confirmed the authenticity of Shin's degree, but it denied the confirmation when the fake degree scandal erupted in 2007.
Later that year, Yale admitted its error, and Yale President Richard C. Levin sent a letter of apology to Dongguk President Oh Young-kyo. But Dongguk filed a suit early this year for defamation, demanding Yale pay $50 million in compensation.