Korea University Clears Yoo Dam of Alleged Research Misconduct Over 'Slicing Papers'

Korea University has concluded that there are no issues with the research papers of Yoo Dam, the daughter of former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, following an investigation into allegations of research misconduct.

The conclusion was reached seven months after the university launched an investigation following a complaint filed through the e-People portal.

The Research Integrity Committee at Korea University, which reviewed seven journal articles as well as Yoo's master's thesis and doctoral dissertation, determined the day before yesterday that her papers did not constitute research misconduct.

The university stated that it formed a full investigation committee, with more than half of its members being external experts, to review the papers and research data.

Regarding allegations of "slicing papers" - the practice of writing multiple papers using identical or similar research data and analytical frameworks - the university concluded that it was a "common research practice."

It noted that the mere fact that multiple papers shared the same theory was insufficient to classify them as misconduct.

Concerning allegations of "self-plagiarism," where Yoo allegedly presented similar papers as separate studies, the committee judged that "the research questions were comprehensive and independent, making it academically preferable to publish them as individual papers rather than as a single integrated thesis."

The university reportedly accepted Yoo's explanation that "while there are theoretical commonalities, the main research questions differ, and the papers were strategically published in a short period for a faculty appointment."

Previously, controversies had arisen over alleged preferential treatment regarding Yoo's appointment as a professor at Incheon National University.

Yoo graduated from Dongguk University's Department of Law, earned a master's degree in business administration from Yonsei University, and a doctorate in business administration from Korea University.

When applying for the professor position at Incheon National University, she submitted 10 research records, including her doctoral dissertation, and was appointed as a professor, triggering controversies over an unusually fast appointment process.

Allegations of "self-plagiarism" and "slicing papers" - writing multiple papers using identical or similar data - had also been raised.

Reported by Kim Min-jeong | Video by Hong Jin-young | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.