By Kim Se-jeong
Konkuk University is coming under fire for a 2013 decision to dismiss a whistleblower who disclosed an internal embezzlement case, which has only recently come to light.
The Seoul High Court on Thursday ordered the university to reverse its decision to dismiss a film professor who accused a fellow faculty member of pocketing part of the donations from celebrity students.
The school claimed the professor deserved dismissal because he was negligent in teaching students.
However, the professor argued that he was dismissed because the school authorities were uncomfortable with his disclosure of the embezzlement case.
Following his disclosure, the university conducted an internal audit and found that the accused faculty member did embezzle money, and as a result was suspended from teaching for two months.
However, the school dismissed the whistleblower.
The court ruled that the school’s decision should be revoked.
“The allegations raised by the professor were found to be true,” the court said. “The school’s decision to dismiss the professor was inappropriate.”